For all their off-the-field problems nothing can slow Barcelona's title charge in Spain, even with Xavi watching from the stands banned from the touchline.
'I hated it and I won't be protesting to referees anymore' he promised after the 1-0 win over Valencia.
Real Madrid, in contrast, have been awful since their mauling of Liverpool at Anfield and Carlo Ancelotti has started to look like a coach winding down his second spell at the club.
The real star of the weekend though was Diego Simeone - love or loathe the way his teams play, a record breaking 613 games with the same club can't be argued with.