Andy Mitten

Beating Barcelona in the Copa del Rey match means they are in the hunt for two titles even as winning the Primera Liga seems next to impossible.

Barcelona have been hampered by lack of innovation and chances of a treble seem more improbable now, writes Andy Mitten.

The Spaniard has an impressive CV and, with contemporaries such as Guardiola and Laudrup, the stage is set for him to take the club to greater heights.

Often overshadowed by their more wealthy city rivals the men at the Vicente Calderon are proving there is another horse in the Spanish title race, writes Andy Mitten from Madrid.

Catalans hold a slight advantage for return leg at Camp Nou having scored an away goal in draw at Bernabeu last week, writes Andy Mitten.

Whatever the reasons for manager Jose Mourinho to field 20 year old, they can learn from rivals Barcelona by giving homegrown players - rather than imports - more first-team opportunities.

Spanish giants are mulling over future of several high-profile players, and that of their indisposed manager Tito Vilanova, writes Andy Mitten.

Barcelona's third most expensive signing returns to Italy for the Uefa Champions League match, but he is struggling at Camp Nou, writes Andy Mitten.

Spaniards travel to Portugal to face Porto in last 16 before next year's European ban.

Television rights and clubs' priorities mean it is the supporters – particularly the travelling ones – who are paying the price at matches, writes Andy Mitten.

The 21-year-old playmaker who continues to blossom, especially since the departure of Santi Cazorla.

The backwater city team are ready to announce their arrival in the first division.

Old players and new have watched over the years as the Real Madrid star has become one of the game's best, writes Andy Mitten in Madrid.

Manchester United defender Phil Jones likely to be tasked with ominous assignment of stifling Cristiano Ronaldo in the first-leg, last-16 encounter, writes Andy Mitten from Madrid.

Aurelio Andreazzoli, the new Roma coach, made new team selections that have already rasied some eye brows and Juventus is up next, writes Andy Mitten.