Well it may be winter, but things have gotten off to a hot start in 2016 for Spanish soccer.

First Real Madrid made waves by firing Rafa Benitez and ushering in soccer legend Zinedine Zidane. Then midweek city rivals Espanyol and Barcelona square off in a feisty Copa del Rey match that saw two players sent off for Espanyol, and Luis Suarez facing suspension.

Throughout their match, tensions were high between the two teams, with referee Juan Martinez Munuera losing control early. As mentioned, two Espanyol players were sent off, though Barcelona’s players were not on their best behavior either. Suarez, Javier Mascherano and newly eligible Arda Turan constantly getting themselves into altercations with the opposition.

Suarez is facing a three-match ban for allegedly instigating an altercation in the tunnel post-match.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique’s comments after the game didn’t help either. Already vilified by every non-Barça fan in Spain, Pique mocked the Espanyol fans for their lack of attendance. Needless to say that added fuel to the fire for the return leg, to be held at Espanyol’s Cornella-El Prat stadium.

The act that likely would characterize Espanyol’s behavior is goalkeeper Pau Lopez stomping on Leo Messi’s ankle unprovoked. Furthermore, the keeper stood on the Argentine’s leg with his full weight, and of course attacking a team’s star is never going to help cool heads.

After the match Lopez did not apologize for his actions, nor did either of the two Espanyol players that were sent off with red cards.

The intra-city rivalry between the two is likely to be seen as less intense than the one between the two Madrid teams. Barcelona-Espanyol is more political, with Catalan separatists gravitating towards Barça, and those within Catalonia sympathetic towards Spain more likely to support Espanyol.

Meanwhile in the capital, Real Madrid of course were disqualified from the Copa del Rey competition, though their new coach has already voiced his desires for certain players in the transfer market.

According to sources Zidane has his eyes on Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, wanting to bring him to Madrid. Zidane has had a good eye for talent before, as he was the one who brought Raphael Varane to the Bernabeu, where the Frenchman has shined when healthy.

Madrid’s other two teams, Rayo Vallecano and Atlético Madrid squared off in their Copa del Rey match Tuesday. After trailing 1-0 for much of the game, substitute Saul Niguez netted the equalizer. Although many would say Atleti should have won against a weaker side low on confidence, they have the luxury of playing in their stadium for the second leg, where they should pull ahead.

Interesting week for sure in Spain, this weekend should follow the narrative as Zinedine Zidane makes his managerial debut.