By Tim Stannard

1) Pique and Alba sidelined on morning after the night before  

A whole moon-day-moon cycle has yet to pass since Barcelona’s entertaining demolition of Manchester City on Wednesday night in the Champions League and the Camp Nou world has already moved on from the win.

There is no laurel-sitting allowed in the topsy-turvy world of La Liga. The huge downside of the night was injuries to the defensive pair of Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba with the club announcing that the two are expected to miss two-to-three weeks of action with ankle and hamstring problems respectively. The internet will be a duller place indeed without the endless witterings of Pique, in particular.

But on a brighter note, Luis Suarez, has been handed the incorrectly-named “Golden Shoe” – it’s clearly a boot! – after scoring 40 league goals last season. Tune into the XTRA at 7PM ET / 4PM PT for a full behind-the-scenes breakdown of the event by Jamie Easton.

Time to swing from bright to bleak with poor, much-maligned Barcelona fullback, Douglas, admitting that he did not have the best of times at the Camp Nou. “I'd come home crying every day, but it is what is it,” said the teary Brazilian who is now on loan at fellow La Liga side, Sporting.

2) Florentino admits Pogba interest as Ronaldo gets new face

In what might turn out to have been a smart move for Real Madrid, considering Paul Pogba’s form for Manchester United – all be it, in the wrong position on the pitch – Florentino Perez has reportedly told elite club members that contact was made with the French midfielder’s agent over the summer but Madrid decided not to make a move for Pogba. The Madrid president also justified the flurry of contract renewals as a way of keeping the swimming sharks of the Premier League away from the players.

But who cares about that, when the world can see an image of Cristiano Ronaldo getting heaven knows what to his face on Thursday!
 

3) Marseille make move for Roma’s Rudi Garcia  

Well that escalated quickly. Just days after Marseille was officially bought out by US businessman and former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Frank McCourt, the French giants are on the brink of appointing Rudi Garcia as the new manager. The Frenchman was fired by Roma in January of last year but was still under contract with the Serie A side. However, that issue has been resolved to allow Garcia to move to the Stade Velodrome. Next up for Marseille in terms of football is a not insignificant clash with PSG on Sunday.
 

4) Mourinho warms to Europa League adventure as De Boer stands on the brink at Inter

As ever, Manchester United and Jose Mourinho is the stand-out clash in the 24 Europa League ties being played out on Thursday from one end of Europe to pretty much Asia. The Old Trafford club is at home to Turkish side, Fenerbahce, and for once the Special One was a little more positive about a contest that he has been a little sniffy over in the past. “We will play a really good team knowing two days later we have to play again," promised Mourinho looking ahead to what could be an awful clash against Chelsea on Sunday (three days technically speaking), if Monday’s debacle against Liverpool was any indication.

5) De Boer’s last stand against Southampton

The Inter Milan match-up against Southampton is also worth a gander in the same way that one might slow down a little to gaze at two irate men fuming after a fender bender. The theme of the week as been the Ultras – and some of Inter’s leadership - against Mauro Icardi.

“This situation is not good for the team, the fans or the club,” sighed Frank de Boer whose job is reportedly at stake depending on Thursday’s result against the English invaders. “I think I’m doing a good job for the team though, all I can do is work hard,” said the Dutchman making the case for the defense. Tune into the XTRA from 7PM ET / 4PM ET for all the best highlights of the day’s Europa League action.

WHAT IS SPORTS BURST?

The life philosophy of Sports Burst is that if you are not upsetting someone, then you are not trying hard enough. SB is a daily trawl and troll through the morning's sports news to bring you fact-nuggets to make you both smile and swear. Hopefully at the same time.