Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi defined the global game over the past decade or so with both players almost exclusively winning the Ballon d'Or award year after year.

Alfredo Relaño’s analysis of a match in which Zidane’s side easily beat a tame Valencia side who offered little. Benzema and Kroos grabbed the goals.

Real Madrid visited Alavés on their centenary, Javier Berasaluce, a goalkeeper who played for both clubs in the 1950s took the honorary kick-off, writes Alfredo Relaño.

At the end of the game, the Athletic Club players jumped euphorically and embraced as Marcelino beamed with the scenes resembling that of a title win.

Club officials spent the day complaining that the game should not be played. No reward for a trip Madrid didn't want to make in the first place, writes Alfredo Relaño.

Real Madrid always tend to struggle playing teams who sit back and defend but, perform much better against ones who writes Alfredo Relaño.

Diego Simeone took charge of his 500th Atlético Madrid game and had cause for celebration as Luis Suárez handed him victory and Elche held Real Madrid.

Alfredo Relaño analyses Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Granada at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano, which keeps them in the hunt for LaLiga glory.

Partido de los que hacen afición, se decía antes

Despite the 3-1 score line, Real Madrid were not at the same level as over the past week against Athletic, who could have snatched a point but for Courtois.

Recently for Real Madrid, the excellent performances of Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Luka Modric have bailed Zinedine Zidane’s side out of trouble