Barcelona defender Eric Abidal says his team-mates are going all out to reach the Champions League final as a way of lending support to coach Tito Vilanova.

Lionel Messi has gone from being the first name on Barcelona’s team sheet to the last, as they await a late fitness test ahead of tonight’s Champions League quarter-final second leg at home to Paris Saint-Germain.

Both Real Madrid and Barcelona warmed up for this week’s Champions League quarter-final second legs with thumping La Liga victories on Saturday, but the mood around each camp differed markedly.

Barcelona have revealed the injury suffered by Lionel Messi in last night’s Champions League draw at Paris St Germain is not as bad as first feared, although he will definitely miss this weekend’s visit of Real Mallorca in La Liga.

Roberto Martinez seemed as delighted with Swansea City’s victory in the League Cup final as though he was still their manager.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho shrugged off jeers aimed at him from his side’s fans prior to last night’s 4-3 win over Real Sociedad following his decision to again omit Iker Casillas in favour of Antonio Adan.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has been hailed as the greatest player of all-time by team-mate and fellow Argentinian Javier Mascherano.

Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova heaped praise on Lionel Messi after his brace enabled the Catalans to win 4-2 at Real Mallorca.

Helder Postiga left it late to earn Real Zaragoza victory over 10-man Espanyol in the Primera Division.

It’s many years since Real Madrid fans have been as happy going into a new campaign.

Premier League debutant Eden Hazard played a starring role as Chelsea began their season with victory over Wigan at the DW Stadium.

New signing Ivan Ramis is Wigan’s leading fitness doubt ahead of their season-opener with Chelsea on Sunday.

Lille president Michel Seydoux has told Newcastle to forget about signing Mathieu Debuchy after rejecting their latest offer.

Wigan are close to completing the signing of West Ham target Ivan Ramis from Real Mallorca.

Michael Laudrup has vowed Swansea will continue to play their traditional passing game under his leadership.

Swansea have confirmed the appointment of former Denmark international Michael Laudrup as their new manager.

Swansea could announce a replacement for departed manager Brendan Rodgers before the weekend, with former Denmark international Michael Laudrup emerging as the favourite in the last few days.

Jose Mourinho claimed his seventh domestic title – confirmed last night after his Real Madrid side clinched the Primera Division crown with a 3-0 win at Athletic Bilbao – was the toughest of his career.

Spain

INTER MILAN denied their neighbours AC Milan a place at the top of Serie A and threw their own hat into the ring for the Scudetto in the process with a 1-0 win at the San Siro last night.

JUVENTUS retained their two-point advantage at the top of Serie A and piled more misery on Claudio Ranieri’s Inter Milan with a 2-1 win at the San Siro on Saturday night.

BARCELONA enjoyed another weekend of celebration as Lionel Messi reached another landmark with two more brilliant goals but it was tempered with some bad news on the injury front.

Argentina international Jonas Gutierrez has signed a new contract which will keep him at Newcastle until 2015.

REAL MADRID slumped to their first defeat of the season after suffering a 1-0 setback at Levante last night.

West Brom are poised to smash their transfer record to sign Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long.

Spanish midfielder Borja Valero has made his move from West Brom to Villarreal permanent after initially spending last season on loan at the Primera Division outfit.

Barcelona’s lead over Real Madrid at the top of the Primera Division is down to five points after they were held 1-1 by Sevilla in a thrilling contest at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan this evening.

Real Mallorca 0 Barcelona 3

Karim Benzema rescued Real Madrid as they clawed back some of the deficit on Primera Division leaders Barcelona with a 1-0 victory over Real Mallorca tonight.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has urged his team-mates to put their disappointing 1-1 home draw with Real Mallorca down to a “stumble” and focus their attention forward rather than dwell on the game.

BARCELONA star Lionel Messi is set to spend up to three weeks on the sidelines with an ankle sprain.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho insists he is not worried about his side’s lack of goals so far this season, warning upcoming opponents that a thrashing is in the pipeline.

Birmingham striker Kevin Phillips has targeted the local derby at West Brom in just under two weeks time for his return to action.

Birmingham striker Kevin Phillips has been ruled out for a “considerable period” with a torn thigh muscle.

West Brom have confirmed their interest in signing striker Frederic Piquionne who played a major role in Portsmouth reaching last season’s FA Cup final.

Samuel Eto’o hopes holding the World Cup in South Africa can help eradicate racism in European football.

There is a “strong possibility” of Celtic signing former Gretna defender Aurelien Collin, according to the Frenchman’s current club.

Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini felt his side were full value for their derby victory over Atletico but was concerned that the Rojiblancos were able to net two goals at the Bernabeu.

BARCELONA midfielder Andres Iniesta, below, has been ruled out of Wednesday’s Champions League match at the Emirates due to a hamstring injury.

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has been ruled out of Wednesday’s Champions League match with Arsenal due to a hamstring injury.

Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart could be out for the rest of the month after suffering a calf injury during last night’s home win over Real Mallorca.

FRANCE’S first-choice front man André-Pierre Gignac suffered an injury scare during Toulouse’s 3-2 win against Rennes in Ligue 1 yesterday.

BARCELONA midfielder Andres Iniesta is confident he will be fit for the Champions League final against Manchester United after tests yesterday showed no long-term damage to his right thigh.