Real Madrid forwards Marco Asensio and Gareth Bale both returned to full training on Friday after injury layoffs, handing the European champions a boost in attack three weeks before their Champions League last-16 tie with Ajax Amsterdam.

Marco Asensio and Gareth Bale boost Madrid after injury layoffs

Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari has called on his under-performing side to halt their tendency to concede early goals as they look for some relief from their floundering La Liga campaign against Leganes in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.

Real Madrid must focus more in early stages of games, says Santiago Solari

Lionel Messi scored for the seventh time in four La Liga games as champions Barcelona scrapped their way to a hard-fought 2-1 win at Getafe on Sunday that propelled them five points clear at the top of the table.

Lionel Messi on target again as Barcelona stretch La Liga lead

Former Real Madrid striker Predrag Mijatovic criticised Gareth Bale for lacking leadership qualities and hit out at coach Santiago Solari after the club's La Liga title ambitions were dented by Thursday's 2-2 draw at Villarreal.

Gareth Bale 'nowhere near' being Madrid's leader, says Predrag Mijatovic

River Plate battled back from a goal down to beat arch Argentine rivals Boca Juniors 3-1 after extra-time in the rescheduled Copa Libertadores final second leg which was controversially played in Madrid after violence had seen the original game postponed.

River Plate snatch Libertadores glory over Boca in Madrid

What is behind the fierce rivalry between River Plate and Boca Juniors?

Boca Juniors landed in Madrid on Wednesday as they prepare to face fellow Argentine club and their biggest rivals River Plate in the Copa Libertadores final second leg amid the biggest security operation for a match the city has mounted.

Boca Juniors land in Madrid amid tight security for Libertadores

The postponed Copa Libertadores final second leg between Argentine clubs River Plate and Boca Juniors will be played at Real Madrid's stadium on December the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said on Thursday.

Postponed Libertadores final to be played in Madrid

Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari has challenged Gareth Bale to "eat the stage every time he plays" after he starred in their win over Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday.

Solari urges Bale to 'eat stage every time' as decision time approaches for Madrid

Thousands of protesters gathered outside the Almudena Roman Catholic Cathedral in central Madrid on Thursday to demonstrate against any plans to bury the remains of former dictator Francisco Franco at the site.

Thousands protest outside Madrid cathedral against Franco burial

When Real Madrid sold Cristiano Ronaldo in July, fans and local media alike all asked the same question: how do you replace him? Ronaldo was Real's all-time top scorer, notching up 451 goals in 438 games in all competitions.

Replacing Ronaldo has proved tougher than Real Madrid expected

Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo said that he doesn't want to compare his current club with Real Madrid as both the clubs are "fantastic". "Well I don't want to compare Real Madrid with Juventus, they are both unbelievable teams, they are fantastic clubs," said Ronaldo while speaking in a press conference ahead of Manchester United Champions League clash.

'Don't want to compare Real Madrid with Juventus,' says Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui said on Monday he would fight to turn the team's performance around as pressure mounted on him following a series of poor results that has sent Real down to seventh place in the La Liga table.

Julen Lopetegui defiant as pressure mounts at Real

Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui said on Friday he is not worried about his position amid the club's worst goal drought in over a decade, pointing out that his side are joint top of La Liga.

Real Madrid's coach Julen Lopetegui not fearing the sack

Zidane confirmed that he will leave Real Madrid this summer

Twitterati bids farewell to Real Madrid's coach Zinedine Zidane as he resigns

Former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic slipped six places to 18th after his second-round defeat in Madrid

Despite sitting out since March, Roger Federer replaces Rafael Nadal as world No. 1

Real hold a 2-1 lead after the first leg in Germany last week

Champions League: We will attack Bayern, vows Real coach Zidane

Six people including a minor and a woman were also arrested and 10 officers were left injured while emergency services said four people were slightly hurt in the protest on Friday

Hundreds gather for Madrid protest following Sengal street vendor's death

The central government in Madrid has already warned it will keep direct control over Catalonia

Talks underway in Catalonia to pick regional leader

Once the parliament is formed, members must put forward a candidate to lead the regional government who must then undergo a vote of confidence.

Spanish PM calls for Catalan parliament to be formed on January 17

Analysts predict stormy weeks ahead as efforts begin to form a government

Catalan elections: Analysts predict government formation won't be easy for Puigdemont

The deposed leader of Catalonia Carles Puigdemont said Monday that there could be solutions to Spain's political crisis other than independence for his region, insisting he was still open to "agreement" with Madrid.?

Catalan ex-leader says independence not only solution to crisis

Madrid sacked the region's police chief on Friday

Spain moves to take control of Catalonia

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said a new regional election will be held in Catalonia on December 21

Spain sacks Catalan government after region declares independence

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