Real closed the gap on Atletico for now, while in Italy leaders AC Milan slipped up.
Eden Hazard scored and set up Karim Benzema for his first of two goals as Real Madrid eased to a 4-1 victory at Alaves in the Spanish league on Saturday, ending a winless run in a match that coach Zinedine Zidane missed after he contracted the coronavirus. Hazard grazed a long pass to redirect the ball to Benzema, who doubled the lead for Madrid in the 41st after Casemiro had headed in the 15th-minute opener. Belgium forward Hazard scored just his third goal of the season in first-half injury time to build a 3-0 lead at the break.
Mikel Arteta expects to have a clearer picture of Arsenal’s pursuit of Martin Odegaard by Saturday evening as the Gunners seek to sign the Real Madrid playmaker on loan. Real Sociedad, where Odegaard played last season, are interested in signing him - but Standard Sport understands Arsenal are in talks with Los Blancos and are growing in confidence that he may join them instead. Following Arsenal’s FA Cup exit at Southampton on Saturday, Arteta was asked whether the Gunners were close to sealing a deal for Odegaard.