Lionel Messi has said Bayern were "superior" to Barcelona in last night’s 4-0 thrashing, with the Catalan club’s hopes of reaching the Champions League final all but over.

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has not sought any advice from former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola ahead of his side’s Champions League semi-final tie against the Catalans tonight.

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.

Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova will take training today for the first time since undergoing treatment for cancer in the United States, his assistant Jordi Roura has confirmed.

The TV and radio stations in Barcelona this morning focused on the bizarre coincidence that Barca win matches 4-0 whenever there’s a papal enclave.

Barcelona 4 AC Milan 0

Xavi Hernandez will be in the squad for tonight’s Champions League clash with AC Milan after coming through a final training session today.

“We won’t play like Fort Apache, that’s not our style.”

The last week has seen an unusual amount of soul-searching at Barcelona, as the Catalan club prepares to try and overcome a 2-0 first-leg deficit in Tuesday’s Champions League last 16 second leg at home to AC Milan.

Madrid’s sporting press has been revelling in their side’s thumping 3-1 Copa del Rey semi-final second leg victory over Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Tuesday night, which sent Jose Mourinho’s side through to May’s final, while setting them up nicely for Wednesday’s Champions League last 16 second leg at Manchester United.

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo hailed his team’s continuing good form against Barcelona at the Nou Camp after they stormed into the Copa del Rey final last night.

Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura turned up the heat ahead of tonight’s clash with Real Madrid by questioning referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco (8pm, Sky Sports 1).

Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura remains “convinced” the Catalans will progress to the Champions League quarter-finals despite their surprise 2-0 loss against AC Milan in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Lionel Messi’s Barcelona team-mates heaped further praise on the forward after he took his goal tally to the club to a staggering 301 with a double against Granada.

Barcelona head coach Tito Vilanova has returned to the Catalan club’s training base less than two weeks after undergoing surgery on a tumour in his throat.

Iker Casillas has played down his controversial omission from Real Madrid’s line-up against Malaga, insisting he must accept coach Jose Mourinho’s decision and focus on regaining his starting berth.

Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has been discharged from hospital after undergoing an operation on his parotid gland on Thursday.

Barcelona today announced Tito Vilanova’s operation on his parotid gland had gone “as expected” as the 44-year-old began a second battle with cancer.

Barcelona have pledged their support to coach Tito Vilanova after confirming he faces a second battle against cancer.