Andy Mitten

Once a giant in Spanish football they are struggling at the bottom of the Primera Liga, writes Andy Mitten.

The six meetings between Real Madrid and Barcelona, compared to the one meeting between the Manchester clubs in the voting period, gave the Spanish clubs an advantage.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Andres Iniesta will contend for the Ballon d'Or award after outstanding 2012 seasons.

Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo may be on their way out of the club unless there is a major turnaround in fortunes for Real, writes Andy Mitten.

The Catalans have fallen on hard times but only a year ago they were punching above their weight, writes Andy Mitten.

Spaniards are feeling gloomy about their economy, but happy about their football, which is shows in a poll conducted by a Spanish newspaper.

Andy Mitten explains why there is backing for a case being made by some football clubs in the country for terraces to be reintroduced at stadiums 23 years after the Hillsborough tragedy.

Barcelona has not lost a match in Primera Liga yet and sit atop the league standings. Coach Tito Vilanova was just released from the hospital as the team has pulled together and taken a 'family' approach, writes Andy Mitten.

Fans have turned on Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho after he dropped team captain Iker Casillas as the squad is 16 points behind league leading Barcelona.

Malaga is enjoying their most successful season but Uefa's Financial Fair Play rules are derailing the club off the field, says Andy Mitten.

Madrid may be packed with stars and had six players in the 23-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or, but they do not always play as a team.

The manager is due to undergo surgery today, a year after having a cancerous tumour removed.

The tournament is seen as an inconvenience in Europe, while South American supporters travel the globe to watch, writes Andy Mitten.

Spain's two leading goal scorers go head-to-head at Camp Nou as Lionel Messi's leaders Barcelona welcome Radamel Falcao's second-placed Atletico Madrid.

Dean Holden has experienced the ups and downs of football, but they paled into insignificance after personal tragedy. The defender speaks to Andy Mitten.