It's been a week of new beginnings in La Liga or at least, a week of new opportunities. One was merited, one is doubtful and one disastrous.

The three characters on stage are Ernesto Valverde, Diego Simeone and Marcelo, so let's start with the disastrous and build from there.

Even though it's the decision that, in all probability, cut the legs off Madrid's title chase, Santi Solari was well within his rights to think that Sunday's match against Girona was an acceptable opportunity to sharpen...

Real Madrid appeared to be easing to a straightforward win against Girona in Sunday's La Liga clash at the Bernabeu -- but the Catalans turned the game around in the second half to take a deserved 2-1 victory.

Positives

It is difficult to take many positives from a performance which recalled many of the problems Madrid have faced all season. One bright spot was club captain Ramos' latest sending off means he will serve a suspension next week in La Liga, leaving him free for the following week's Clasico...