Check out all the results from the European matches today.

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde will not encourage striker Luis Suarez to play with any less aggression than usual in tonight’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg (8.30pm) against Valencia despite being one yellow card away from missing the final.

Philippe Coutinho made his first LaLiga start for Barcelona but it was Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi who stole the headlines once again in a 2-1 win against Alaves.

Diego Costa last night made a goalscoring return to Atletico Madrid with a second-half strike in their comfortable 4-0 Copa de Rey win at Lleida.

Bayern Munich strengthened their grip on the Bundesliga title race with a 3-0 win over Augsburg which extended their lead at the top of the table to six points.

Mauricio Pellegrino believes attack will be the best form of defence when he takes his misfiring Southampton to Liverpool in search of a morale-boosting victory.

Mauricio Pellegrino has admitted he will always be grateful to Rafael Benitez, but has vowed to get one over his former manager on Sunday.

Dani Ceballos fired a LaLiga debut double to ease pressure on boss Zinedine Zidane as Real Madrid edged out Alaves 2-1.

Lionel Messi shrugged off the frustration of missing a penalty to reach another remarkable career landmark as Barcelona eased to a 2-0 victory at Alaves.

Shane Long intends to make up for lost time and "hit the ground running" under new Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino next season.

Mauricio Pellegrino has been appointed as the new Southampton manager on a three-year deal.

Barcelona have named Ernesto Valverde as their new head coach.

Lionel Messi produced yet another master class as Barcelona marked the end of Luis Enrique's Nou Camp reign by lifting the Copa del Rey.

The LaLiga title will be decided on the final day again this year, with Real Madrid going to Malaga tomorrow night (7pm Irish time) needing just a point to lift the trophy, no matter what Barcelona do at home to Eibar at the same time.

Deportivo La Coruna failed to make certain of their LaLiga status after being held to a 2-2 draw at relegated Osasuna.

Gerard Pique joked there may be a baby boom among Barcelona supporters in nine months’ time following Wednesday’s record-breaking Champions League victory over Paris St Germain.

Barcelona took over as LaLiga leaders with a 6-1 thrashing of Sporting Gijon tonight - but their antics were soon overshadowed by the news Luis Enrique is to leave the Nou Camp.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani is relishing coming up against countryman Luis Suarez at the Parc des Princes tonight.

Alaves failed to make the most of their chances as Atletico Madrid left Mendizorroza with a goalless draw.

With Chelsea forging clear in the Premier League, James Whelan casts his eye over the pacesetters and chasing packs in Europe’s top flight competitions.

Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona got back to winning ways in La Liga with a 5-1 rout of Leganes.

LaLiga champions Barcelona claimed an impressive 1-0 win away to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday night thanks to an Ivan Rakitic goal after 20 minutes.

Real Madrid got their campaign in LaLiga off to the ideal start as two goals from Gareth Bale steered them to a 3-0 win away to Real Sociedad.

Has a team ever lifted a European trophy after going an entire season without winning an away game in their own league?

What the hell’s going on? That’s me genuinely asking by the way, somebody who’s watched this team for 40 years.

West Brom have confirmed Pepe Mel as their new head coach on an 18-month contract.

Lionel Messi is hoping to face Real Betis on Sunday after escaping a major injury scare last night.

Lionel Messi worked out in the gym as his Barcelona team-mates trained this morning, and the Argentinian could yet be fit for Sunday’s match against Real Betis despite being carried off in last night’s Champions League clash with Benfica.

Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova has defended his decision to include Lionel Messi in last night's Champions League game against Benfica after the Argentina star suffered a knee injury.

There is no doubt who the man of the moment is in the Camp Nou Stadium: Leo Messi was this week nominated as one of the three candidates for what could be his third Balon d’Or award and tomorrow night will see him try to make more football history as Barcelona entertain Athletic Club Bilbao.

CAPTAIN Steven Gerrard has warned their Europa League rivals not to underestimate Liverpool.

Monaco forward Nene claims he is a target of Tottenham and Roma.

Ivan Campo has signed a new two-year deal with Bolton on the day his old contract expired.

JUVENTUS won their 29th Italian league title with a 2-0 final day victory over Reggina yesterday, assuring the club of a second successive ‘Scudetto’.

GERMAN playmaker Michael Ballack’s move to Chelsea is “set in stone”, according to Bayern Munich director Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Celtic 2 Inverness CT 1

Villarreal 1 Rangers 1 (agg 3-3 Villarreal win on away goals)

THERE were ominous signs for Britain’s Champions League contenders after a hectic weekend of football across the continent.

Antonio Cassano and Julio Baptista struck as Real Madrid – minus the dropped Ronaldo – beat city rivals Atletico 2-1 tonight.