Atletico Madrid shocked maybe even themselves by breaking the big two’s grip on the La Liga title for the first time since 2004, but still the 2014/15 La Liga season will likely be another shoot-out between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

PREMIER LEAGUE:

Swansea last night sacked manager Michael Laudrup — with veteran defender Garry Monk charged with rallying the team for Saturday’s Welsh derby with Cardiff.

Both Real Madrid and Barcelona warmed up for this week’s Champions League quarter-final second legs with thumping La Liga victories on Saturday, but the mood around each camp differed markedly.

Barcelona have revealed the injury suffered by Lionel Messi in last night’s Champions League draw at Paris St Germain is not as bad as first feared, although he will definitely miss this weekend’s visit of Real Mallorca in La Liga.

Bradford 0 Swansea 5

A list of all the confirmed deadline day signings so far.

Gary Cahill is focusing on the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg tomorrow night but he is also refusing to concede the Premier League title race to the Manchester clubs, insisting a triumphant run would propel Chelsea back into contention.

There is no doubt who the man of the moment is in the Camp Nou Stadium: Leo Messi was this week nominated as one of the three candidates for what could be his third Balon d’Or award and tomorrow night will see him try to make more football history as Barcelona entertain Athletic Club Bilbao.

Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova heaped praise on Lionel Messi after his brace enabled the Catalans to win 4-2 at Real Mallorca.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored for the eighth successive match as Real Madrid coasted to a 5-0 victory in Mallorca last night.

Tottenham’s customary late foray into the transfer market brought Clint Dempsey and Hugo Lloris to White Hart Lane, but it was unclear today whether the club had missed out on top target Joao Moutinho.

Manchester City were the main movers on deadline day with the Barclays Premier League champions closing in on further additions to their squad with less than three hours to go until the transfer window slams shut.

Helder Postiga left it late to earn Real Zaragoza victory over 10-man Espanyol in the Primera Division.

Sevilla opened their Primera Division season with a deserved 2-1 win in an occasionally scrappy game at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Wigan are close to completing the signing of West Ham target Ivan Ramis from Real Mallorca.

New Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova is still coming to terms with life without Pep Guardiola but is warming to the reality of leading the Catalans this season.

Roma have confirmed that Liverpool are interested in signing Italy international Fabio Borini.

Michael Laudrup today made his first signing as Swansea manager with the capture of centre-half Jose Manuel Flores from Genoa for an initial fee of £2m.

Jose Mourinho claimed his seventh domestic title – confirmed last night after his Real Madrid side clinched the Primera Division crown with a 3-0 win at Athletic Bilbao – was the toughest of his career.

Four goals from Lionel Messi put third-placed Valencia to the sword on a night when Barcelona could have scored a dozen but for the efforts of visiting goalkeeper Diego Alves.

Spain

GERMANY’S football season restarted dramatically on Friday night after their six-week break and the victims were Bayern Munich, still league leaders but only on goal difference ahead of Borussia Dortmund and Schalke, with the other Borussia just a point behind in fourth place.

JOSE MOURINHO has defended Cristiano Ronaldo’s form on the eve of Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey quarter-final against Barcelona tonight (Live on Sky Sports 2, 9pm), describing his performance against Mallorca as “his best” since the manager’s arrival at the club.

INTER MILAN denied their neighbours AC Milan a place at the top of Serie A and threw their own hat into the ring for the Scudetto in the process with a 1-0 win at the San Siro last night.

Barcelona set up a blockbuster Copa del Rey quarter-final against Real Madrid without ever having to hit top gear against Osasuna tonight.

YOU won’t see it on TV, it’s something the football commentators would rather not mention, but behind the glitz and glamour of the Champions League matches is a hidden crisis.

WIND back to August, and a one-on-one chat with Barcelona’s new signing David Villa at the training ground. A recent World Cup winner, Villa was enthusing about his new life at Camp Nou when Barça’s press chief walked past.

Barcelona’s lead over Real Madrid at the top of the Primera Division is down to five points after they were held 1-1 by Sevilla in a thrilling contest at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan this evening.

Real Mallorca 0 Barcelona 3

Karim Benzema rescued Real Madrid as they clawed back some of the deficit on Primera Division leaders Barcelona with a 1-0 victory over Real Mallorca tonight.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has urged his team-mates to put their disappointing 1-1 home draw with Real Mallorca down to a “stumble” and focus their attention forward rather than dwell on the game.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho refused to get carried away with his side’s 6-1 demolition of Deportivo La Coruna, insisting once again they are still a team under construction.

Birmingham striker Kevin Phillips has targeted the local derby at West Brom in just under two weeks time for his return to action.

Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra has been ruled out of France’s Euro 2012 qualifiers against Belarus and Bosnia.

Cameroon manager Paul Le Guen has named star man Samuel Eto’o in his 23-man World Cup squad despite the striker’s claims he might walk away from the tournament.

Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona moved back to the top of the Primera Division with a resounding 4-1 victory at Racing Santander.

Inter Milan new boy Samuel Eto’o has rubbished suggestions he has ever had a problem with new coach Jose Mourinho.

Twenty years ago tonight, Arsenal and Liverpool staged the most remarkable climax in history to an English football season. “A night of chilling simplicity” as commentator Brian Moore called it. Tony Leen was there.

Venezuela star Juan Arango insists he is not quitting Spanish side Mallorca to join Tottenham.

Real Mallorca striker Oscar Trejo wants to hold talks with West Brom over a possible January move to the Barclays Premier League’s bottom club.

UNDER fire Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster had few complaints about his side’s 3-1 defeat by Getafe on Saturday, admitting he felt from early on it was not going to be their night.

JOSE MOURINHO tightened his grip on Serie A and claimed bragging rights in his personal duel with Claudio Ranieri after Inter defeated Juventus 1-0 on Saturday.