Around the Argentina base in Santiago, there’s not much of a sense they’re on the brink of history, that they are “one little step” — as Leo Messi put it — from ending a 22-year wait for a trophy.

For long periods during the build-up to this game, it appeared as though a Champions League semi-final was about to take place with only one manager present.

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique says the thought of having a team without Lionel Messi is "not even something we contemplate".

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique insists he has the backing of his club and his squad – but refused to deny reports of a rift with Lionel Messi.

Germany and Argentina lock horns tonight in a repeat of July’s World Cup final but international retirements and injuries mean Joachim Low and Gerardo Martino will field much-changed sides from that memorable night in Rio.

Barcelona 1 Atletico Madrid 1

LA LIGA

Victor Valdes has bid farewell to Barcelona with an open letter to the club’s fans.

A stoppage-time goal from Angel Lafita snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw for Getafe at Barcelona, which could prove fatal to the Catalan club’s hopes of retaining the Primera Division title.

Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 2

Tonight’s Copa del Rey decider between Barcelona and Real Madrid in Valencia will be very different from their last final meeting.

Atletico Madrid 1 Barcelona 0 (Atletico Madrid win 2-1 on aggregate)

Barcelona’s reaction to the news that it had been banned from making transfers by Fifa has shown yet again that the Camp Nou club’s directors operate at a level well below that of its football team.

Barcelona 1 Atletico Munich 1

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino confirmed his intention to see out his contract with the Catalan club ahead of tonight’s Primera Division clash with Celta Vigo.

After Lionel Messi had done his talking on the pitch in Barcelona’s thrilling 4-3 La Liga win at Real Madrid on Sunday night, Cristiano Ronaldo did some crying off it.

LA LIGA:

Captain Vincent Kompany will take inspiration from the dramatic title success of 2012 as Manchester City look to turn the tables on Barcelona.

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino sent a defiant message to his critics as they turned up the heat ahead of his side’s latest Champions League outing.

Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2

Gerardo Martino claims Manchester City are no clone of his Barcelona side — but simply one of the best teams in the world.

At his post-game press conference on Saturday night it seemed Gerardo Martino’s biggest problem ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League last 16 first leg at Manchester City is who to start.

Barcelona 2 Valencia 3

European champions Bayern Munich feel they have got the strongest opposition they could have faced after yesterday’s Champions League last 16 draw pitted them against Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Neil Lennon will analyse his side's shocking performance following Celtic's 6-1 Champions League defeat by Barcelona in the Nou Camp on Wednesday night.

“Barcelona on a roll...

Barcelona director Toni Freixa is confident the Spanish champions have the quality to cope with the loss of superstar forward Lionel Messi to injury.

Mick McCarthy’s hopes of becoming Ireland manager may be fading and he was fully focused on his current side Ipswich last night.

This week marks the 40th anniversary of Johan Cruyff’s debut at Barcelona, last week Real Madrid celebrated Francisco Gento’s 80th birthday.

Spanish football pundits have a neat phrase called the ‘ataque del entrenador’.

Barcelona take on Milan at a damp San Siro for the fourth time in two years this evening.

Real Madrid's Gareth Bale encourages Cristiano Ronaldo after he missed a goalscoring opportunity during the La Liga game against Malaga at the Bernabeu. Right: Barca coach Gerardo Martino’s in his fashionable light green polo shirt. Pic: Getty

Teething problems were always likely when La Liga’s big two began the season with new coaches, but even by La Liga standards Barcelona’s Gerardo Martino and Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti have had eventful first 100 days in charge.

Neil Lennon believes the absence of Lionel Messi from tonight’s Champions League clash with Barcelona at Celtic Park is a boost for Celtic, but insists it is also “tinged with sadness”.

Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta concedes losing Lionel Messi for tomorrow’s Champions League clash with Celtic is a blow but has pointed out the Catalan giants are no one-man team.

Lionel Messi has rejected suggestions he made a disrespectful gesture towards Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino after being substituted in the Catalan club’s 4-1 win over Real Sociedad last night.

La Liga’s ‘big two’ go into the new Champions League campaign this week with new coaches in Gerardo Martino and Carlo Ancelotti, fresh expensive superstars in Neymar and Gareth Bale, but the same huge expectations as always.

Manager Gerardo Martino was thankful that his Barcelona side were able to share the goals around as after they got the better of Malaga 1-0.

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino is critical of the record-breaking transfer fee Real Madrid are reportedly poised to spend on Gareth Bale.

Neymar scored his first goal for Barcelona as the Catalans came from behind to salvage a draw in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup at the Vicente Calderon.

Cesc Fabregas has moved to end speculation about a possible move to Manchester United by insisting he is “very happy” at Barcelona.

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino says he is no longer worried about the possibility of Cesc Fabregas leaving the club to join Manchester United.

Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta claims Manchester United have accepted defeat in their attempts to sign Cesc Fabregas.

Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino is confident Cesc Fabregas will not swap the Nou Camp for Old Trafford but admits the Spain international will decide his own future.