Real Madrid

Ten years ago today, a roguish little imp touched down in the Camp Nou and began to do things with the football that this planet had never seen before. It’s said that he was 19 years of age at the time, and his well shampooed mop of hair, preciously pushed back with a hairband, and wiry frame do allude to an awkward period in life, but to highlight your greatness at such a tender age by scoring a hat trick against Real Madrid in El Clasico, that defies all notions we have of the effect of time on a person.

It all started so beautifully for Napoli inside a rocking Stadio San Paolo in Naples in their second leg match against Real Madrid. A mesmerizing buildup led to a really well taken goal by Dries Mertens in the 24th minute. 

La Liga's title race has become extremely tight after last week’s midweek games, which saw Real Madrid dramatically drop points at home to Las Palmas while Barcelona and Sevilla both enjoyed wins to collect three valuable points.

Although they still have a match in hand, Real Madrid now trail the Catalans in the table.

Valencia pounced on Real Madrid with two goals in the first eight minutes Wednesday, and held on to win 2-1, which was certainly the thing that everyone expected to happen in this match. Yup.

A brilliant goal from Simone Zaza was followed by a counterattack goal from Fabian Orellana. Cristiano Ronaldo pulled one back for Madrid just before halftime, but it was too little, too late.