La Liga, Week 14: Cristiano Ronaldo too good for Atleti

It was going to take a perfect strike to get past the Belgian goalkeeper, and so Ronaldo provided it, sending in a fizzing drive that jumped over the wall and glanced in off the post, leaving a diving Courtois completely helpless. 1-0 Real Madrid.

The handbags continued after the interval, with Ramos again at the focus. This time, however, the centre back was the victim when Diego Costa smacked him in the chin while the referee’s back was turned on a corner kick. The Atleti winger managed to get away with it, somehow, but his team was in line for further punishment in the 66th minute.

After the break, Barcelona continued to dominate and press, and Cesc Fabregas made it four when he picked the ball up on the edge of the area and smashed home at the near post. Bilbao pulled one back immediately afterwards as Ibai Gomez collected a long pass and slotted underneath Victor Valdes.

Barcelona, however, were not to be outdone, and restored the gloss to the scoreline with a second from Lionel Messi, collecting a loose ball in the area before stepping inside the Bilbao defence and lashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner from 12 yards out.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, are looking to narrow the gap between second and third place to five(!) points, and with the quality of the players on their roster, you’d have to give them every chance of overcoming Atleti, especially at home, where they’re 5-0-1 this year.

Atheltic Bilbao starting lineup (4-3-3): Gorka Iaizoz; Jonás Ramalho, Borja Ekiza, Fernando Amorebieta, Jon Aurtenetxe; Ander Iturraspe, Óscar de Marcos, Ander Herrera; Markel Susaeta, Aritz Aduriz, Ibai Gómez.

Atletico Madrid may have failed to defeat their local rivals since 1999, but with Los Rojiblancos eight points ahead of Mourinho’s faltering charges in the La Liga table, they may feel they have a chance of setting the record straight, even away from home.

Atleti, in contrast, have been excellent so far this season, and by getting a result here they may dare to dream the impossible - that they could actually finish above their rivals. With the form of the likes of Radamel Falcao, it could be a realistic goal in the event of an away victory.

If nothing else it should be wide open and entertaining.

Barcelona injuries and suspensions