HOLA!

Real Madrid are suffering. So are their fans, not only in Spain but all over the world including here in Malaysia.

The Spanish giants are now 18 points behind bitter rivals and leaders Barcelona in the Primera Liga table as the season enters the halfway stage.

Second-placed Atletico Madrid are 11 points behind the still unbeaten Catalans, who are breaking record after record.

Real's chances of retaining the title are virtually gone unless a miracle happens. Yes... a miracle which is highly unlikely.

We are talking about Barca here.

The good factor is that Jose Mourinho's (right) men still have the chance to save their season as they are very much alive in the Champions League and Copa del Rey.

So it is not a surprise to see the controversial Portuguese tactician was at Old Trafford on Sunday when Manchester United beat Liverpool 2-1 in a Premier League match.

The under pressure Mourinho was jotting down notes on United – the opponents whom Real face in the last 16 of the Champions League.

The thing is that Real must raise their performance if they want to dump Alex Ferguson and his men out of the last eight.

What are the factors which made Real slump?

Well... Marca reported injuries, certain players not pulling their weight and Mourinho's set-to with several dressing-room heavyweights have played a substantial role in Real's struggles.

Such has been the downturn that a player-by-player analysis of the team shows that only five members of the squad are at the expected level, with another four recording middling marks and the rest singularly failing to set the world alight.

The success stories aren't all the most talented players, but can't be faulted for commitment – Xabi Alonso is a prime example.

One of the first names on Mourinho's team sheet, the irreplaceable midfielder has not put a foot out of line or spoken out of turn at any moment.

Real management, in a latest development, have not to see sell skipper and goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who has been dumped to the bench by Mourinho recently.

El Economista reported Real's board have drawn up a list of players they're prepared to sell – with only 10 now regarded as 'untouchable', which includes Casillas.

Casillas (pic), Alvaro Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso are the Spanish contingent Real want to keep. The others are Pepe, Marcelo, Sami Khedira, Mesut Özil, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Raphaël Varane, Luka Modric and Angel Di Maria can all leave for the right price, as can striker Gonzalo Higuain.

Any takers? Why not?

Di Maria and Higuain played vital roles for Real in their success of winning the Primera Liga title last season.

Meanwhile, Barca president Sandro Rosell said they have been fighting off the attention of Manchester City this past year.

City already boast former Barca directors Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain as part of their front office and Rosell said their push for personnel has not stopped.

"There has been an offensive from City, at all levels of the structure of the club, but no one wants to go," he revealed.

"They've wanted to fish here, but there's no fish left."

No fish left?

Adios!

- mD