It would be almost impossible to start off this week without talking about the obvious big news in Europe. Barcelona, the league leaders of La Liga by a mile and the home of Lionel Messi, were man handled by their league rivals Real Madrid. 
When I say handled, it is the truth. It was barely a competition and an honest shocker for much of the footballing world. Barcelona’s passing looked weak and slow, while Real Madrid looked reinvigorated. They closed down Messi at every turn and even stopped the swift passing of Xavi and Iniesta. While Barcelona still sit an astonishing 16 points ahead of Real Madrid, this at least propels Madrid into the Copa del Ray final to face either Atletico or Sevilla and gives Jose Mourinho and co some satisfaction knowing that they still have what it takes.
In other news, for the first time in a while, it would appear as if the major league titles across Europe (England, Spain, Germany and Italy) are all more or less locked up very early on. In England, Manchester United holds a commanding 12-point lead with 12 games to go. In Spain, Barcelona holds a 12-point lead over Atletico Madrid with 13 games to go. 
In Germany, Bayern München hold a 17 point lead over Borussia Dortmund with 11 games to go, and finally in Italy, Juventus hold a six point lead over Napoli with 12 games to go. While these results are not set in stone, one could have hoped for a bit more excitement for those title races!