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 defender Eric Abidal has been admitted to hospital to undergo medical examinations following his liver transplant.

Barcelona defender Eric Abidal insists it never crossed his mind to quit football during his fight to recover from a liver transplant.

New Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova is still coming to terms with life without Pep Guardiola but is warming to the reality of leading the Catalans this season.

Barcelona defender Eric Abidal has been discharged from hospital after undergoing a liver transplant last month.

While some players may be looking to wind down at this stage of the season with one eye on a beach holiday, Barcelona winger Pedro Rodriguez will be giving it everything over the coming weeks to try and ensure his summer will be spent on international duty in Ukraine and Poland.

Barcelona defender Eric Abidal is recovering well after undergoing a liver transplant on Tuesday, club president Sandro Rosell has said.

Barcelona defender Eric Abidal is recovering well after undergoing a liver transplant yesterday, club president Sandro Rosell has said.

Santi Cazorla’s stunning stoppage-time free-kick gave Malaga a deserved point to halt Real Madrid’s 11-match winning run in the Primera Division last night.

Messages of support have been flooding in for Eric Abidal following the news that the Barcelona defender is to undergo a liver transplant.

Barcelona defender Eric Abidal is to undergo a liver transplant, the club have confirmed.

Barcelona put one foot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League with victory over a Leverkusen side who might wonder what might have been had they attacked from the start last night.

Barcelona booked their place in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, drawing 2-2 last night and winning 4-3 on aggregate, after surviving a determined fightback by Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid.

BARCELONA maintained their hex over bitter rivals Real Madrid by coming from behind to win 2-1 in a tense Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg at the Bernabeu last night.

Real Madrid 1 Barcelona 2

Barcelona have agreed a one-year contract extension with defender Eric Abidal, the European champions announced.

NEVER renowned for taking a loss with grace, Jose Mourinho put Real Madrid’s weekend 3-1 defeat in ‘El Clasico’ down to luck.

Barcelona 8 Osasuna 0

CESC FABREGAS scored a brilliant volley to keep Barcelona’s non-stop victory parade going with a UEFA Super Cup triumph over Porto last night.

Belarus 1 France 1

PEP GUARDIOLA wants to stay on as Barcelona coach after leading his team to a second Champions League title in three seasons.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola believes his side and opponents Manchester United have a responsibility to live up to the “final of the decade” billing for tomorrow’s Champions League showpiece at Wembley.

Eric Abidal’s remarkable return to fitness following surgery on a liver tumour was today rewarded with a recall to the France national side.

BARCELONA midfielder Xavi has said team-mate Eric Abidal is an “example to humanity” following his speedy recovery from cancer.

WIND back to August, and a one-on-one chat with Barcelona’s new signing David Villa at the training ground. A recent World Cup winner, Villa was enthusing about his new life at Camp Nou when Barça’s press chief walked past.

BARCELONA eased to their third successive La Liga title with a low-key draw away to Levante last night to retain their crown with two games to spare.

Eric Abidal's agent has revealed the Barcelona defender is progressing well after surgery to remove a tumour on his liver.

Eric Abidal's peers have rallied round in support the Barcelona defender after the club revealed he will undergo surgery on a liver tumour on Friday.

BARCELONA defender Eric Abidal will undergo surgery after the club yesterday announced he has a liver tumour.

Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas will both start for Arsenal against Barcelona in the Champions League match at the Nou Camp tonight.

FABIO CAPELLO opened a door on the future for England – and the fans did not like what they saw as the Three Lions were jeered off after defeat to France at Wembley last night.

Nicolas Anelka today claimed he was “dying with laughter” despite the 18-match suspension imposed by the French Football Federation which is likely to spell the end of his international career.

NICOLAS ANELKA’S France career could be at an end after he was yesterday hit with an 18-match suspension by the French Football Federation.

Nicolas Anelka’s France career could be at an end after he was today hit with an 18-match suspension by the French Football Federation.

France captain Patrice Evra and Florent Malouda were both banished to the bench for the vital Group A game against South Africa at the Free State Stadium.

THE Republic of Ireland may not be in South Africa but supporters of the Boys in Green will have savoured France’s defeat to Mexico last night, a result that leaves Raymond Domenech’s side staring at the prospect of saying an early ‘au revoir’ to the 2010 World Cup.

The Champions League semi-final first leg between Inter Milan and Barcelona is about to kick-off at the San Siro Stadium.

LIONEL MESSI lived up to his billing as the best player in the world with four goals to end Arsenal’s Champions League dream in the Nou Camp last night.

Barcelona 4 Arsenal 1 (Barcelona win 6-3 on aggregate)

HOLDERS Barcelona moved two points clear at the top of their Champions League group last night after producing a classy display to defeat erstwhile leaders Inter Milan at the Nou Camp.

BARCELONA are sweating on the fitness of playmaker Lionel Messi ahead of their two huge matches this week.

Barcelona are sweating on the fitness of superstar Lionel Messi ahead of their two huge matches this week.

MAYBE the spirit of Patrick Vieira lives on after all.