Alfredo Relaño looks at the "poker game" currently being played out between Florentino Pérez and Sergio Ramos at Real Madrid amid the ongoing impasse in contract talks.

Five years ago Zinedine Zidane came to Florentino Pérez’s rescue, putting the house in order and winning that season’s Champions League, and the two that followed.

Scoring goals breeds confidence and so when the goals dry up, the team is weakened. That was the root of Real Madrid's problems against Shakhtar, writes Alfredo Relaño.

Thursday night is Europa League night, evenings packed with games from every corner of Europe.

Barcelona president Bartomeu may have felt he had bought some peace and quiet after the recent contract extension that will see Piqué remain at the Catalan club through to the age of 37.