Barcelona suffered a significant blow to their La Liga title defense, losing 2-1 to Girona in a derby match on Monday, February 16, 2026. This defeat leaves them two points behind league leaders Real Madrid.

• Barcelona initially led 1-0 through Pau Cubarsi before Girona scored two goals from Thomas Lemar and Fran Beltran to secure the win.
• Head coach Hansi Flick admitted Barcelona "defended very badly" and acknowledged the team was "not in a good moment."
• The match saw a missed penalty by Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and a controversial unpunished foul on Jules Kounde leading to Girona’s winning goal.

Benfica coach Jose Mourinho has downplayed recent rumors linking him to a return to Real Madrid, despite facing them in a UEFA Champions League play-off rematch. Mourinho confirmed he has a clause in his Benfica contract that allows him to leave, but stressed it was due to upcoming presidential elections at the club, not a potential move to Madrid.

• Mourinho led Real Madrid from 2010-2013.
• Benfica hosts Real Madrid in the Champions League play-off first leg on Tuesday.
• Mourinho previously guided Benfica to a 4-2 victory over Alvaro Arbeloa's Real Madrid in January.
• Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga highlighted a "spirit of revenge" for the upcoming match.

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique has downplayed recent suggestions of dressing room issues ahead of their Champions League playoff first leg against domestic rivals Monaco, despite a recent dip in form.

• PSG, reigning European champions, are struggling to replicate last season's success, falling to second in Ligue 1 after a 3-1 defeat to Rennes.
• The team was eliminated from the French Cup and finished 11th in the Champions League group stage, failing to win their last three European games.
• Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele publicly criticized his teammates, urging them to prioritize the "collective" over individual play.
• Monaco, currently eighth in Ligue 1 and 20 points behind PSG, remains optimistic, with coach Sebastien Pocognoli stressing the need for a "perfect game" to secure a result.

Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams is sidelined indefinitely with a groin problem, announced the La Liga club on Monday, raising concerns for Spain's national team just four months before the World Cup.

• Nico Williams has started treatment for pubalgia with an external specialist, making him unavailable for upcoming matches.
• The 23-year-old winger is expected to miss the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Real Sociedad on March 4.
• Spanish media reports suggest Williams could be out for a "few weeks" as he recovers from the injury.