LIONEL MESSI

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino believes even a win in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid won’t placate his critics.

Real Madrid will have the chance to deepen the crisis engulfing rivals Barcelona in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey final at the Mestalla.

The emergence of Atletico Madrid means the Copa del Rey final has suddenly become more important for rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid.

An early goal from Koke gave Atletico Madrid a 1-0 victory over Barcelona at the Vicente Calderon to win their Champions League quarterfinal tie 2-1 on aggregate.

Diego Costa is a major doubt for Atletico Madrid heading into the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal with Barcelona at the Vicente Calderon.

Lionel Messi now has 25 goals on the year despite missing a stretch of games due to injury, and Barcelona keeps pace with Atletico Madrid, who dispatched Villarreal 1-0 earlier in the day.

Atletico kicks off La Liga play on Saturday in their match up with Villarreal, followed by Barcelona’s date with Real Betis at Camp Nou, and Real Madrid’s jaunt to Anoeta to face Real Sociedad.

Diego Simeone has hailed the importance of Diego Costa to his Atletico Madrid team, with reports suggesting the forward will be passed fit to take on Barcelona on Tuesday.

Heading into their clash with Barcelona at the Camp Nou, Atletico Madrid have a major doubt over the fitness of a player crucial to their recent success, Diego Costa.

Two goals from Neymar and another from Lionel Messi gave Barcelona a comfortable 3-0 win over Celta Vigo, but it was marred by an injury to Victor Valdes.

The two Spanish giants are in a three-way race with Atletico.

Barcelona came from behind to beat 10-man Real Madrid 4-3 after Lionel Messi scored two second-half penalties to complete his hat-trick.

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino has admitted that his side must win Sunday’s Clasico against Real Madrid to stay in the title race.

Real Madrid look good to continue the momentum swing in the Primera Division title race when they host Barcelona in Sunday’s Clasico.

The eight teams still standing in the Champions League will discover their quarterfinal opponents in Friday’s draw.

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to become Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer and help his side to a 7-0 demolition of Osasuna at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona drew 1-1 with over Manchester City at the Camp Nou, giving them a 4-1 win on aggregate in their Champions League last-16 tie.

Both Barcelona and Manchester City come into the second leg of their Champions League tie on the back of a defeat and wider questions about their current conditions.

Brazil has the best betting odds to win the 2014 World Cup.

Real Sociedad stunned Barcelona with a 3-1 victory over the Spanish champions at the Estadio Anoeta.

Lionel Messi’s penalty and a late Dani Alves goal gave Barcelona a 2-0 lead from the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.