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- The Champions League group stage is finally over as the remaining teams punched their tickets into the knockout stages yesterday. Of note are Dortmund and Arsenal advancing, as well as Real rival Barca and some blue-clad club from London. The draw for the next round will be next Monday, December 16.
- Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso may be intensifying talks of an extension, according to AS. I wouldn't expect any breaking news soon, but the quicker they extend him the better.
- Angel Di Maria's agent is claiming that Flo Bro is pushing to send the Argentine winger out. Monaco is the assumed destination but other clubs have shown an interest.
- In club rival news, Barca aren't too keen on giving Lionel Messi a raise any time soon, this coming on the heels of other superstars getting a bump in their salaries.
- Bayern are ready to scrutinize the Ballon d'Or vote, a vote which many expect Cristiano Ronaldo to win, as they would like their representative, Franck Ribery, to have a fair shot at it.
- The four letter network has Real Madrid as second in their power rankings yet again, a ranking which is pretty fair. What do you think?
- Throwback Thursday clip of the week: Guti doing Guti things.
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