Village Idiot

I aim to please.

...and Diego Costa equalizes.

Atlético one down. Athletic are truly imperious at the San Mamés Barria.

Huge 3 points for us today. Gonna be a stellar day at work on Monday

Yessss

Neymar man, we've been swindled.

Today, in my opinion, is the toughest fixture we'll have until the season's finale against Atlético. There's nothing more in this world that Espanyol would like more than to crush our title hopes after we've been gifted a second wind this past week.

It's fine to have a forward player that doesn't do much defensively. The problem for Real is that in Cronaldo, Bale and Benzema they have three of those. Alexis and Pedro's biggest virtue, for example, is that they do put quite a shift besides a meaningful attacking contribution (both are having splendid seasons).

Madrid have a great squad indeed, certainly with bigger depth than ours. But once again their penchant for marquee names hurts them. Bale, for example, while certainly a great player, has to play by decree and it has shown in these two past games that it makes Real Madrid too top heavy and easily to break in midfield, as he doesn't track back and doesn't do much in creative areas.

The way I look at it: under Pérez presidency (10 seasons not including this one), as he's the one behind the galáctico policy. - 3 league titles - 1 CL - 1 Spanish Cup

Can't trust our transfer deals after the Neymar fracas, but this boy's contract was running out this summer so the low fee is understandable.

We've confirmed a deal for that Halilovic lad. €2,2m

We are well stocked with wing players, so I think it's likely Deulofeu will spend another year away on loan. What's the talk of him in Barcelona? I think he looks like a fantastic prospect. To be frank, he's been largely ignored this season (which I think it's good, let him do his thing away from our hype machines). He is acknowledged as one of our biggest prospects, mind.

He's right if you take the past 10 seasons, though. Their record in big games is not too good. And their trophy haul despite their on paper squad quality and spending levels is a bit disappointing. This season they have just taken 1 point in 12 against games versus us or Atlético.

Been given the official go-ahead now, all member FAs support the project: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/uefa-approve-launch-nations-league-replace-major-international-friendlies-1442043 I like the idea of giving out 4 EC berths through it. All big FAs will already secure it through normal QF, so it will give an incentive to smaller FAs to give this tournament a go in order to secure a place.

Just been through the calendar, if Atlético win this weekend against Athletic, they have a very good chance to get to the Camp Nou on top, or being able to win the league by beating us at the very least. All their home games look like bankers to me, leaving Valencia, Levante and Athletic as the tougher away ones. They need to win two of those. We have the derby, away at Villarreal and away at Granada as the tough ones. Madrid only have Anoeta as the game where I could see them dropping further points. That's on paper, of course.

True, but it's made harder by the fact that they need two teams to fail now (and Atlético can actually drop points once and still stay ahead), not just one.

Will be reorganized as the United Football Nations after the Germans and Italians leave and try to take over FIFA.

Valdés out for 8 months, misses the WC. Wonder who'll sign him now...

Games come thick and fast now, I believe they'll start to crumble. Still, truly amazing job.

If we beat Espanyol away (they are in good form and always go 200% against us), I think we'll have a decent shot at winning this.

We are well stocked with wing players, so I think it's likely Deulofeu will spend another year away on loan.

Out for season going by first reports. Pinto for the CL

My only "but" - besides the fact that I'm not sure where they'll get enough dates from for a proper league competition - is that seeing competitive games between the likes of Germany, Spain, England, Italy, etc... every year would be great, but it can diminish the EC.

It would follow a league format, and be played in current friendly dates. Pro-rel and play-offs. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/league-of-nations-new-uefa-tournament-will-see-countries-win-qualifying-places-for-world-cup-9216138.html Friendlies suck, so I'm willing to give this a chance. Not sure how they can shoehorn a whole league competition in the current international dates, while still keeping some for friendlies against non-UEFA teams.