Barcelona gather hope as Real Madrid sink

Barcelona were together and brilliant as they beat Ferencvaros 3-0 and gave a new does of hope to Cules. With an unexpected attacking trident - Griezmann, Braithwaite and Dembele - they shone, especially in the first half, and each scored in Koeman's fifth consecutive UCL victory. The team are close to Louis van Gaal's record in 2002-03, 18 points from 18. They have one game left, against Juventus.

Beyond the stats, the feelings are good. Without Leo Messi, Barcelona put on a show. Koeman's work, technical, tactical, physical and psychological, is starting to bear fruit.

This contrasts with the drama in the Spanish capital, as Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid struggle. Los Blancos are at risk of elimination if they don't beat Gladbach in their final group game. This Madrid looks to be in free fall. With Zidane incapable of finding answers and Florentino Perez ready to sack his star man - who brought three consecutive UCLs in his first era. Pochettino, as usual, and Raul, are the candidates to replace him. But as Guardiola said, you can't never take Madrid for dead... even though they are practically buried.