Back from the festive break, with the new look Super Cup and Copa del Rey taking centre stage. Four teams took part in the Super Cup, which was played in Saudi Arabia this year. In the semi-finals, Real Madrid beat Valencia 3-1 with goals from their midfield (Benzema and Bale were injured), and Parejo replying with a late penalty, and Atlético Madrid won 3-2 against Barcelona, goals by Messi and Griezmann not enough to prevent defeat after a Morata penalty and a strike by Correa turned the game around again in the last ten minutes. Real Madrid went on to beat their city rivals on penalties again after the final finished score-less. In the second round of the cup, all but Getafe of the top flight sides made it through, with Braithwaite and Gerard Moreno in particular getting a brace each in their respective ties.

Before that, the last round of the games of the first half of the season took place, with Barcelona ending as “winter champions” despite a 2-2 draw at neighbours Espanyol (Luis Suárez scored there, but then had to go for a knee operation which will keep him out for most of the season). Real Madrid are level with them on points though after they beat Getafe 0-3, and after the defeat in the Super Cup, coach Ernest Valverde was given the push. He was replaced by ex-Betis boss Quique Setién, who started with a 1-0 win over Granada this weekend, Messi (who else) getting the only goal there. Real Madrid are still keeping pace however after beating Sevilla 2-1, Casemiro getting both goals, and with Atlético losing 2-0 at Eibar, it looks like being a two-horse race for the league title once again. (21.01.20)

Pichichi League Cup ** Europe * Total (Penalties)
Messi (Barcelona) 14 1 2 17 (2)
Benzema (Real Madrid) 12 0 4 16 (2)
Luis Suárez (Barcelona) 11 0 3 14 (1)
Angel (Getafe) 8 1 3 12 (0)
Chimy Avila (Osasuna) 9 1 0 10 (0)
Moreno (Villarreal) 8 2 0 10 (0)
Morata (Atlético) 7 1 2 10 (1)
Roger (Levante) 9 0 0 9 (3)
Loren (Betis) 8 1 0 9 (0)
Griezmann (Barcelona) 7 1 1 9 (0)
Lucas Pérez (Alavés) 8 0 0 8 (4)
Budimir (Mallorca) 8 0 0 8 (0)
Willian José (Real Soc) 8 0 0 8 (0)
Joaquín (Betis) 7 1 0 8 (2)
Cazorla (Villarreal) 7 1 0 8 (5)
Braithwaite (Leganés) 6 2 0 8 (0)
Dani Parejo (Valencia) 6 1 1 8 (7)
Mata (Getafe) 6 0 2 8 (2)
Ferreyra (Espanyol) 1 0 7 8 (0)
Joselu (Alavés) 7 0 0 7 (0)
Iago Aspas (Celta) 7 0 0 7 (0)
Oyarzabal (Real Soc) 7 0 0 7 (3)
Maxi Gómez (Valencia) 7 0 0 7 (0)
Munir (Sevilla) 2 0 5 7 (0)

* Includes European Super Cup
** Includes Spanish Super Cup