The 30-year-old Lopez, who has spent the last five seasons at Villarreal after joining from Real Madrid, has penned a five-year contract with the Andalusian club.

The once-capped Spain international said on his new club's website: "It's all been very quick. I'm very happy and looking forward to wearing the Sevilla shirt and trying to help them continue being a big club.

"It's a big club for lots of things, for their fans, for what you feel when you go to play there. You always feel a little bit of envy when you experience that from outside, and now I'm very excited to be able to live it from the inside."

Sevilla, the 2006 and 2007 UEFA Cup winner, finished ninth in La Liga last season while Villarreal, having finished fourth in 2011, was surprisingly relegated after losing at home to Atletico Madrid on the final day.

Mourinho, who joined the club in May 2010 on a four-year deal, said early in May he had no ambition to coach in new countries.

But media reports had continued to speculate on him returning to England, with some linking him to a move back to Chelsea.

"Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho have reached an agreement to extend the latter's contract with the club until June 30, 2016," the club said in a statement published online.

The self-appointed "Special One" took Real Madrid to its 32nd league title last month, ending a run of three successive league crowns for bitter rival Barcelona.

That made him only the fourth coach to have won four different league titles after taking the English, Italian and Portuguese crowns, along with Austria's Ernst Happel, the late Croat Tomislav Ivic and Italian veteran Giovanni Trapattoni.

During his first season at the club, critics said the star coach's approach was too aggressive both on the field and in comments at press conferences about rivals and referees.

In one infamous incident in August last year when Barcelona won the domestic Super Cup against Real, a brawl broke out after Marcelo was red carded for a reckless challenge on Cesc Fabregas.

During the melee, Mourinho was shown on public television poking his finger into the eye of Barca assistant coach Tito Vilanova - who has since been promoted to the top to replace departing Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola, 41, announced last month that he was leaving at the end of the season after a four-year rein at Barcelona, saying he felt "drained".

Asked about the incident at the time, which earned him a two-match ban, Mourinho famously asked journalists at a post-match news conference: "Pito Vilanova? I don't know who this Pito is."

Mourinho has been supported through thick and thin by Real president Florentino Perez.

Former Real director general Jorge Valdano had unsuccessfully argued against Mourinho's appointment, but then found himself out of a job.

In May 2011 Perez terminated the position of director general occupied by Valdano to give Mourinho more autonomy.

Spanish media reported at the time that Mourinho had demanded that Valdano, a former Argentine international, be dismissed as a condition for his staying on at the club.

Real striker Cristiano Ronaldo praised Mourinho in an interview published Tuesday in Spanish sports daily AS, calling him "the best coach in the world".

"To continue my career with Mourinho now is just great because it helps me improve and learn more," he said.

"I don't wish for anything different than that. It's great to work with him because, right now, he is the number one manager."

Mourinho began his hugely successful coaching career with Portuguese side Benfica in 2000.

The foundations of his coaching career were set when he took a job as an interpreter and assistant for the late Sir Bobby Robson in Spain and Portugal.

Madrid ended Barcelona's three-year reign as Spanish champion with a stunning campaign that saw it become the first Primera Division side to reach 100 points while its tally of 121 goals was also a record.

However, Jose Mourinho's men fell short in its bid to win the UEFA Champions League after being knocked out by Bayern Munich in the semi-final, while the defence of its Copa del Rey title was ended by Barcelona at the quarter-final stage, and those disappointments are the reason why Ronaldo cannot rate it as the perfect season for Madrid.

The Portugal international does not feel he could have done much more on an individual level, though, during a remarkable season which saw him score 46 goals in just 38 league matches, and 62 in all competitions for Madrid.

He said in AS: "I would give my season a 10 on an individual level and collectively a nine, because we wanted to win more titles, the Champions League for example."

Madrid's bid for a record 10th European Cup has been at the very top of the club's wish-list for a number of years now, but Ronaldo believes the wait will soon be over.

"We've been close this year, but we need to stay calm. The 10th will arrive in the next season or two. We know that everyone is focused on winning the Champions League. You notice it in the street, but we need to stay calm."

Ronaldo's season means he is once again likely to be battling Barcelona star Lionel Messi to win the FIFA Ballon d'Or later this year.

Messi, who pipped Ronaldo to the European Golden Shoe and the Pichichi award as the Primera Division's leading goalscorer with an astonishing 50 league goals this season, is the two-time reigning Ballon d'Or winner having beaten his Portuguese counterpart to the award last year.

Asked if he felt he deserved the crown this year, as has been suggested by his coach Mourinho, Ronaldo said: "I'm not the one who judges who deserves to win the Ballon d'Or, but I think I've had a fantastic season.

"I've won the most difficult league in the world. I agree with what Mourinho said, but what I want now is have a great European Championships, because that could also help me in the Ballon d'Or, although honestly it's not a matter that concerns me much.

"I'm happy with the season that I've had, but I'm already only thinking of helping my country now."

In the 2010/11 campaign Ronaldo won the European Golden Shoe with 40 goals and, remarkably, he managed to top that tally last term.

Asked if he could do the same next season, Ronaldo said: "Some journalist asked me the same a year ago. My aim is to improve every year.

"To score 46 league goals is going to be very difficult, but you never know. Anything can happen. I always believes in myself and in improving. The 100 points that Madrid got this season, for example, were unthinkable, and look at what happened...you never know."

The Catalan side announced in March that the 32-year-old France international needed a transplant, almost exactly a year after the defender had surgery to remove a liver tumour, with the Abidal's cousin Gerard donating the organ.

A short statement on Barcelona's website said: "The French defender was discharged form hospital today after his liver transplant on April 10."

"The club's medical services released a bulletin explaining: "Given the particulars of his recovery process. Abidal will have to undergo a number of hospital check-ups."

Following his first operation in March 2011, Abidal was out for just seven weeks, returning to the team for the end-of-season run-in with a number of substitute appearances.

His only start during that spell was in the UEFA Champions League final victory over Manchester United, when he was given the honour of lifting the trophy.

Guardiola will be leaving the Catalan giants this summer, bringing to an end a relationship that has yielded two Champions League crowns, three La Liga trophies, one Copa del Rey, three Supercopas, two UEFA Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups in just four years.

There could still be one more addition to that collection as well, with Barca facing Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final in Madrid on Friday in what will be Guardiola's final match in charge.

When asked how the Barca players will be feeling going into the final knowing Guardiola is departing, Pinto said: "It's hard to define, we don't like that he's leaving.

"The last match will be sad, we have to win to turn that sadness into joy so we can give him a happy send off. I hope it works out this way, we're motivated. We're all awaiting that moment."

Pinto, who has played in each round of the Copa del Rey in place of first-choice custodian Victor Valdes, knows it will not be easy to beat Athletic though in what is a battle between the two most successful teams in the competition's history.

Athletic has been hugely impressive in its first season under Marcelo Bielsa and, as well as reaching the domestic cup final, also went all the way in the Europa League before losing to Atletico Madrid.

Pinto was part of the Barca side that beat Athletic 4-1 in the 2009 final but he does not believe that match will bear any relevance to Friday's.

Pinto told Barca TV: ""Every team modifies itself every year. It's obvious that Athletic have improved a lot. They are a very competitive side. They play well and their manager is responsible for this positive change. It will be a very hard-fought and a very nice final.

"I've followed them and I believe that they are one of the standout teams of the year."

Guardiola announced last month that he would be leaving Barca after four hugely successful years in charge in which he led the azulgrana to two UEFA Champions League crowns, three La Liga trophies, one Copa del Rey, three Supercopas, two UEFA Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups.

Numerous big-name coaches were linked to the position but Barca decided to stay in-house and promote Guardiola's assistant Vilanova to the post.

That move may have raised more than a few eyebrows, but it has got the thumbs-up from veteran midfielder Xavi.

"It was a surprise for everyone that Pep decided not to continue. We're grateful for all that he has done here in these four years, but Tito is well qualified, he's somebody who is very well respected in the changing room and he understands very well the philosophy of this club. We have to adapt quickly to the circumstances," Xavi said.

"It's good that Tito is continuing because the mechanics will be the same. It's the least drastic change, because it's a change of continuity. He won't change a lot of things.

"We will be with him to the end, as we have been with all the coaches."

Guardiola's last game in charge of Barca is set to be next week's Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao.

The final pits the two most successful teams in the competition's history against each other, and also brings together several players who could be Spanish team-mates at Euro 2012.

Barca could provide around a third of Vicente Del Bosque's 23-man squad, while, from Athletic, the likes of Fernando Llorente, Andoni Iraola, Javi Martinez and Iker Muniain will also be hoping to make the cut.

Probably the biggest question mark facing Del Bosque at present, though, is whether Barca striker David Villa will be fit to go to Ukraine and Poland.

Villa, Spain's all-time record goalscorer, has been absent since before Christmas with a broken leg but Xavi feels there is enough time left for the former Valencia hitman to make the start of the tournament.

Xavi said: "My hope is that Villa can be at the European Championships, it depends a bit on how he's feeling. He is giving it everything, working morning and afternoon. We don't start playing until June 10, so he could get there perfectly.

"I have a very good relationship with 'Guaje' and I would like him to be there. He's an extraordinary footballer and the leading goalscorer in the history of the national team. The numbers are there for all to see."

Del Bosque, meanwhile, was quoted as saying about Villa in the Spanish press: "We all want him to be there, but we know how serious an injury he's suffered. The expectations surrounding David are good but we have to be sure that he's not running any risk in his recovery and, at the same time, that he's going to be effective for us."

Since Ronaldo signed for Real Madrid in 2009, his goals battle with Barcelona forward Messi has captured the imagination in the Primera Division.

In the recently-completed season Ronaldo hit a remarkable 46 goals in 38 appearances, but was beaten as Messi struck a scarcely believable 50 goals in 37 matches.

The Portuguese believes it is futile to debate which player is better, but is inspired by his opposite number's high standards

"Sometimes it makes me tired ... for him too because they compare us together all the time," he told CNN World Sport.

"You cannot compare a Ferrari with a Porsche because it's a different engine. You cannot compare them.

"He does the best things for Barcelona, I do the best things for Madrid, so the number (of goals) ... everyone says 'it's incredible'. For him and for me because we beat our own records, so it's amazing.

"I think we push each other sometimes in the competition, this is why the competition is so high. This is why Madrid and Barcelona are the best teams in the world because everyone pushes each other."

Ronaldo also spoke about his first La Liga title, which Madrid secured with a 100-point haul.

He was clearly delighted to usurp Barca but conceded it would be tough to enjoy such a successful season again.

"My high point is to win the title here in Madrid," he said.

"It was my first time, so I was so happy because it's my best moment here in Madrid, the most important trophy. In terms of individual, it was great for me, the goals that I scored, to break my own record ... to do 100 points in the Spanish league, which is a record too.

"It's phenomenal. I think it's hard to have a better year than this one. For me this is the most difficult league in the world. To compete with Barcelona, as everyone knows is very complicated and we beat them."

Alves went under the knife at Barcelona Hospital after suffering the injury in training earlier on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old Brazil full-back has been ruled out of the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao on May 25 - Pep Guardiola's final match as Barca coach.

"The player underwent surgery this afternoon to correct his fractured clavicle after sustaining his injury this morning during the first team's training session," read a statement on club website fcbarcelona.com.

"[Club] doctors Ricard Pruna and Carles Torrens, in collaboration with Mutua Egarsat, performed surgery on Dani Alves' broken clavicle.

"The player will be out of action for six to eight weeks."

Alves' absence comes as a further setback to Guardiola's bid to sign off his four-year tenure with a 14th trophy, having already lost the services of fellow defenders Carles Puyol (knee) and Eric Abidal (liver transplant) for next week's final.

Messi has carried off the accolade in each of the last three years, collecting his third award in January.

But Mourinho believes Ronaldo would be a worthy winner when the awards come around again, pointing out that a huge part of Real's Primera Liga success this season came due to the remarkable goalscoring feats of the former Manchester United forward.

Although Ronaldo's 46 league goals were not enough to beat Barcelona's Messi to the title of the league's top scorer, known as the Pichichi, they steered Madrid to the title.

And for that reason Mourinho believes his 27-year-old compatriot should be rewarded by FIFA when Ballon d'Or voting takes place.

The Madrid boss told Portuguese TV station SIC: "Cristiano has to win the Ballon d'Or, not because he has been the top goalscorer, he was that already last season, but because his goals have delivered a title."

"Messi scored 50 goals that weren't worth anything, in the same way that Cristiano scored 42 last season that didn't stand for anything."

"He hasn't been able to win the Pichichi and I believe he should be compensated with the Ballon d'Or."

Mourinho described his first league title in Spain as the toughest he has ever won.

The 49-year-old manager has now won seven championships in four different countries, after collecting two league titles each with Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan.

But he believes overcoming Barcelona has been the biggest challenge of his career.

He told Portuguese sport newspaper Record: "All the titles are well recognised, this is undeniable."

"But I can say that this was the most difficult of the seven titles I have won."

"This was more difficult because we had an opponent that is recognised as the best team in the past few years."

"Throughout the whole tournament there was a great pressure because if we drew we could lose points in the title race. For this reason it has been the most difficult, but also very deserved."

Mourinho's team reached 100 points, breaking Barcelona's previous 99-point record.

"The important thing was to win the title, but when we won it and we could get to 100 points, we maintained a high motivation level and went in search of these victories," Mourinho said.

"Madrid has won 32 leagues, but this team will be remembered as the team of 100 points, because at this moment it is a unique mark and, I believe, very difficult to beat."

The Colombian enjoyed a hugely successful debut season in Spain scoring 35 goals, 12 of which helped guide Atleti to its second Europa League triumph in three years, and he is hoping to build on that success next season.

He told Sport: "I am enjoying the moment with Atletico Madrid, I can't waste that. Moreover, I have four more years on my contract and I am only thinking about this.

"I think I am experiencing a special moment in my sporting career. I have obtained objectives that I had been thinking about for a long time, but I have a greater desire to continue growing and conquering other projects or dreams."

However, Atleti's economic situation may force the sale of its prized asset as general manager Miguel Angel Gil hinted before the final round of league fixtures that failure to qualify for the Champions League would make it difficult to hold onto its better players, and Falcao is looking for clarity on the matter sooner rather than later.

"Obviously Gil said there was a necessity to qualify for the Champions League due to the economic side of things, but the club is making efforts to maintain the squad and we will have to wait and see how the make-up of the team is resolved in the coming months," he said.

Guardiola decided to end his four-year spell in charge after being eliminated by Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, with his assistant Tito Vilanova named as the new coach for next season.

However, Laporta, who promoted Guardiola to first-team boss in 2008, told Canal Plus that Rossell had failed to make the necessary guarantees to try to convince Guardiola to stay.

"One of the consequences of the performance of Sandro Rosell's board is to destroy everything that we did in our era. Therefore, it was inevitable Pep Guardiola would walk away," Laporta said.

"I think they could have done more for him to continue in charge.

"My perception is they didn't do what was necessary because they weren't interested in him staying there."

Zubizarreta says Guardiola's own words prove the current Barca board did everything in its power to keep the man who has so far delivered 13 trophies in his tenure, with the Copa del Rey final still to come later this month.

He told TV3: "I am no-one to answer Laporta, but Pep has already said we did everything possible to try and get him to stay.

"Guardiola informed us of his decision on the Wednesday after the defeat to Chelsea. Afterwards there were many meetings, they were hours that seemed like months, until on the Friday morning Tito told us he would take charge."

Zubizarreta also outlined the club's intention to try and protect Vilanova and indicated the new manager will take on far fewer media responsibilities than his predecessor.

"He will constantly be compared to Guardiola but we have to view things as they are, not how they used to be," he said.

"We will help Tito and protect him as much as we can. He will only be responsible for the footballing side of things because he is different to Pep."

The former Spanish international also denied Dani Alves could be on his way out of the Catalan club and that an agreement had been reached with Valencia for the transfer of Jordi Alba.

"Alves is our player," Zubizarreta said. "We renewed his contract a short time ago, last year he appeared irreplaceable and in principle we have no intention of selling him.

"I can flatly deny that we have reached a preliminary agreement or have met with Jordi Alba.

"If there are two clubs I respect they are Athletic Bilbao and Valencia because that is where I played."

However, Zubizarreta did confirm Martin Montoya, Marc Bartra and Marc Muniesa will all graduate to the first-team squad from the Barca B team for next season.

The former Holland international has suffered a difficult year since arriving in the south of Spain from Hamburg last summer, scoring just five times in 32 appearances.

However, he did help guide Malaga to its first ever top-four finish and thereby ensure Champions League football for the first time in its history.

Van Nistelrooy told a press conference: "Yesterday was my final game as a professional footballer. I wanted to play in the Champions League, but it is the moment to leave.

"I have arrived at my physical limit and I can't play at the maximum level. I couldn't have had a better send-off than this.

"I feel happy that I am the one taking this decision. I would like to thank Malaga, the technical and medical staff for an unforgettable year.

"I am proud to have won collective and individual titles, but my greatest satisfaction was to be able to work day after day, year after year."

That victory meant the champions broke a league record by reaching 100 points for the season, but Mourinho insists the demands of managing such a big club means there is no time to rest on your laurels.

He told Real Madrid TV: "In this moment I am already thinking about the future, this is the time to finish the celebrations.

"They will end today, the players will think about the Euros, and I will go to work and think about next season because at Real Madrid you can't sleep on what you have achieved. You have to think about the future."

Mourinho was joined by his players and staff as they paraded the trophy at the Madrid Town Hall and club president Florentino Perez also promised to deliver more trophies in the coming years.

He told Marca: "This team has achieved a collective feat that will remain in the memory of all Madrid fans.

"The merit goes to a formidable squad and a great coach who already form part of the history of this club with numbers that will be difficult to forget.

"It is an honour to return here with the work completed. A year ago (after winning the Copa del Rey) we said we would return and here we are. We say the same for next year.

"This club was born to win, we never tire of doing so. We are going to work with tenacity to continue growing the legend of Real Madrid. This is our challenge."

Mesut Ozil scored twice while Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema also hit the target as Jose Mourinho's Real smashed Barcelona's previous record of 99 points from the 2009-2010 season.

The Santiago Bernabeu was given the first chance to celebrate Mourinho's first Spanish title with 'Los Blancos' and resonated with a celebratory atmosphere to see skipper Iker Casillas lift the trophy after the match.

Mallorca needed a win to qualify for next season's UEFA Europa League and battled hard against a Real side which claimed its 32nd Spanish title two games ago.

Ronaldo headed home an 18th-minute opener and two minutes later Benzema finished off a swift passing move after receiving a Ronaldo pass to double the lead.

Ozil produced a delightful chip for the third on 50 minutes before Chori Castro pulled one back for the side from the Balearics.

German international Ozil added his second when he guided home a long cross from Marcelo eight minutes later.

Jose Rondon scored the goal that beat Sporting Gijon 1-0 and guarantee Malaga its first ever qualification for the UEFA Champions League.

Defeat for Sporting means it drops into the second division after four successive seasons in the top flight.

The Andalusian side started the stronger and Juan Pablo in the visitor's goal had to make an acrobatic save from Eliseu on 17 minutes.

Then Rondon hit the post with a powerful header and with the game goalless at the interval Malaga's dream was on hold.

However, it was Rondon who headed home a corner on 49 minutes to ease the nerves and send the packed Rosaleda crowd into celebration.

Algerian striker Abdelkader Ghezzal scored twice to help Levante to a 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao and reward its magnificent season with a Europa League place.

He raced onto a long ball from centre-half Gustavo Cabral to lob over the advancing Bilbao goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz on the stroke of half-time for his first.

Jose Barkero supplied him for the second and Francisco Farinos got a last minute penalty to send Levante into European competition for the first time.

At the bottom, Villarreal was relegated along with Sporting in a dramatic 90 minutes in which any two of five teams were facing the drop.

Villarreal lost 1-0 at home to Atletico Madrid for whom Gustavo Falcao scored with two minutes remaining to condemn last season's Europa League semi-finalist to the second-tier for the first time since 1998-1999.

The Yellow Submarine, which finished fourth last season, saw a dismal season end in disappointment as Radamel Falcao's 88th-minute goal enabled UEFA Europa League winner Atletico to win 1-0 at El Madrigal.

Zaragoza started the day in the bottom three but was a 2-0 winner at eight-man Getafe.

The real escape story came in Madrid, however, with Rayo Vallecano leaving it until injury time to beat Granada courtesy of Raul Tamudo's dramatic effort.

Sporting Gijon will also play second tier football next season as its unlikely bid to avoid the drop ended in failure after a 1-0 defeat at Malaga, which secured fourth and a UEFA Champions League spot as a result.

Guardiola's last league game in charge of the Catalan giant following a four-year spell in which the club won three league titles and two Champions League crowns ended in a 2-2 draw at Real Betis.

"La Liga existed before I came and it will continue to exist without me," Guardiola, whose final game in charge will be the Copa Del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao on May 25, said on the club's official website.

Barca's Dani Alves was sent off against Betis and the Brazilian full-back has been linked with a move away from the Nou Camp.

But Guardiola feels the club need to keep hold of him, adding: "Questions on a player's future don't depend on me, but from my point of view, Alves is irreplaceable. He's been fundamental for Barca."

Goalkeeper Victor Valdes is confident the team will be back to their best next year under new boss Tito Vilanova after a season in which they have lost their league and Champions League crowns.

He said: "We hope to win the cup. This season two important titles have slipped away, but we'll be back as strong as ever next year."

Defender Carles Puyol can continue to play an important role for Barca next term after undergoing knee surgery yesterday, according to the doctors who performed the operation.

The Spain international had an "arthroscopic procedure to clean up joint tissue in his right knee" and will be out for six weeks, the club confirmed, ruling him out of Euro 2012.

Doctor Ricard Pruna said: "Puyol's objective is to be in optimal condition for the pre-season"

Doctor Ramon Cugat added: "If everything goes well, we'll have Carles Puyol for many years."

"Carles Puyol had an operation on Saturday morning. The Barcelona captain underwent arthroscopy to clean out the right knee," a club statement read.

Surgeons confirmed that the Spain international will need six weeks to fully recover, ruling him out of EURO 2012 as well as the King's Cup final against Athletic Bilbao on 26 May.

"The aim now is have him ready for the start of next season in the best possible condition," said club doctor Ricard Pruna.

"We neither need nor want a totally new squad. What is normal is to buy a few players who will raise the level still higher. We shall recruit without pressure," said the Portuguese coach.

After beating Barcelona to the title Mourinho said he believed that totting up 97 points with one game remaining meant he felt that "the figures we have reached are impossible to beat".

He added: "The goal for next season will be to win the league again while being conscious that these numbers will be difficult to surpass."

Amid rumours that Argentine forward Gonzalo Higuain, Brazilian veteran Kaka or Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho may leave, Mourinho insisted that he certainly wanted Higuain, fourth top scorer in La Liga behind Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Atletico Madrid's Falcao, to stay.

Real has set his release clause at 150 million euros ($193 million) and Mourinho told reporters: "I want him to stay and so do the club and the supporters. But if a club is ready to meet the clause, Gonzalo could leave. Otherwise I shan't let him go as he is one of the best centre forwards in the world."

Regarding Kaka, Mourinho noted: "He was very good in certain matches and then, in others, neither he nor I were satisfied. But he has always stepped up which is very important for him."

Sergio Busquets put Barca ahead in the ninth minute of a first half it dominated but Betis responded well in the second half and they took advantage of Dani Alves's sending off in the 53rd minute.

The impressive Ruben Castro scored two sublime goals in three minutes and Betis was on course for victory before Keita headed home 90 seconds into injury time.

Real Sociedad ended the season on a high as Antoine Griezmann's second-half goal saw off Valencia.

With both sides having little to play for, the game started slowly but it improved improved after the break as Aritz Aduriz and Pablo Hernandez passed up chances to give the visitor the lead.

Instead Sociedad got the winner midway through the second half as Griezmann slid in to meet Xabi Prieto's cross for his third goal in four games to seal a 12th-placed finish for the Basques, their best in the top flight since coming second in 2003.

Dutch midfielder Royston Drenthe, who is currently on loan at Everton, was quoted in a Dutch magazine as saying he was taunted by the Argentina forward and three-time world player of the year during several of their Spanish league encounters.

Barcelona said in a statement that the accusations "are well wide of the mark" and that Messi "has always shown maximum respect and sportsmanship towards his rivals".

Drenthe, who is black, claims Messi used the word "negro" in a negative tone.

Liverpool's Luis Suarez was banned for eight games for taunting Manchester United's Patrice Evra the same way this season.

The report, broadcast by the Cadena Cope radio station last week, cited an anonymous source in the Primera Liga raising doubts about Sporting Gijon's 3-0 league win at Espanyol on April 28.

"Espanyol will file a lawsuit against Cadena Cope and the journalist Juan Antonio Alcala to repair the honour and image of the squad," the club said in a statement.

The lawsuit will demand $3.9 million in compensation, the club added.

Sporting Gijon is at risk of being relegated to the second division. It is currently second bottom in Primera Liga on 37 points, three behind Real Zaragoza and Rayo Vallecano with one match left to play.

Both Sporting Gijon and 13th-placed Espanyol have angrily denied the Cadena Cope report.

"These things disgust me and I'm very angry about it," Sporting Gijon president Manuel Vega-Arango said last week about the report.

The 40-year-old former Los Che defender will succeed Unai Emery, who is leaving when his contract expires at the end of the campaign after four years in charge.

Club president Manuel Llorente told www.valenciacf.es: "The board have signed and ratified the agreement reached this past Friday with Mauricio Pellegrini, who will be the first-team manager for the next two seasons."

Emery's side had secured third place in the Primera Liga, for the third straight term, and an automatic UEFA Champions League spot with a 1-0 home win over Villarreal.

It reached the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and UEFA Europa League this season but was dumped out by Barcelona and Atletico Madrid respectively.

Pellegrino, who won two La Liga titles in his six years with Valencia as a player from 1999 to 2005, had previously held the role of assistant coach under Rafael Benitez at Liverpool and Inter Milan.

Italian champions Juventus, UEFA Champions League finalists Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have all been linked with the striker, along with Mourinho's former club, Chelsea.

However, Mourinho has asserted Higuain's immediate future lies at the Bernabeu and told ES: "Higuain is staying here."

"He will stay at Madrid because I don't want him to go. He has an excellent contract here that runs for many more years."

"He has not come for a year and been paid little - he is on the same level as the others."

"Even if clubs offer 40, 50 or 60 million Euros, Real Madrid will not sell him. My two strikers for next season will be (Karim) Benzema and Higuain."

Kaka has not played a full part in this season's triumphant campaign and admits he has not yet spoken to manager Jose Mourinho about future plans.

He told Globo TV: "My contract still has three years to run and I will keep doing my job."

"Mourinho has been helping me and has given me chances. I do not want to leave Real Madrid."

The 49-year-old Portuguese coach in midweek had taken Real Madrid to its 32nd league title and ended the run of three successive league crowns for bitter rival Barcelona.

However, while that made him only the fourth coach to have won four different league titles - he had also taken Porto to the Portuguese crown - along with Austria's Ernst Happel, the late Croat Tomislav Ivic and Italian veteran Giovanni Trapattoni, he was more content to take the plaudits for winning the big three.

"No coach has ever succeeded in winning the big three titles (England, Italy, Spain)," he purred to Spanish daily ABC.

"It was my ambition to do so. It's an unbelievable achievement both professionally and on a personal level."

Mourinho, who has also won the UEFA Champions League title with Porto and Inter Milan, said that halting Barcelona's dominance of Spanish football had not been his prime objective despite some fiery verbal and physical battles on and off the pitch.

"My target in life is not to beat Barca," he said.

"I have also lost to Barca and to lose to them doesn't make me any sadder than to lose against Bayern (who beat Real in the Champions League semi-finals in a penalty shootout).

"But winning this 'Liga' was important in terms of interrupting their winning cycle.

"It was important for Real, the most important club in history, to halt their dominance of the national football scene."

Mourinho, who confirmed he would be staying on in charge, told the publication his strike force for next season would be Frenchman Karim Benzema and Argentinian Gonzalo Higuain, which should put a stop to speculation about the latter joining French side Paris Saint-Germain.

"My two strikers for next season will be Benzema and Higuain," said Mourinho.

"Higuain will remain here. He will stay because I do not want to let him go.

"And also Real do not want him to go. He has an even better contract than the others and even if we were to receive offers of 40, 50, 60 million euros ($77.2 million), we would not sell him."

In Guardiola's final home game in charge before he stands down to make way for his assistant Tito Vilanova, he received a parting gift from arguably the most influential player over his four-year reign.

Messi was again magnificent as he moved on to 72 goals in what has been a remarkable season - 50 of which have come in the Primera Division. He now has 251 in 327 Barcelona appearances.

The Argentine opened the scoring with a free-kick and completed his hat-trick with a trademark burst and finish.

Goals two and four were from the penalty spot even though Espanyol could feel aggrieved by both spot-kick awards.

Real Madrid shook off its title-winning hangover in the nick of time to serve Granada a relegation warning with a 2-1 victory.

Having wrapped up its 32nd championship in midweek, the capital club appeared to still be in celebration mode when Franco Jara put Granada ahead with five minutes gone.

That was taking it clear of relegation for the season, only for its situation to be turned on its head in a dramatic final 10 minutes.

First Cristiano Ronaldo won and converted an equalising penalty before David Cortes put Karim Benzema`s injury-time cross into his own goal.

Then at the final whistle, Granada's players surrounded police-protected referee Clos Gomez, with Cortes and Borja Perez shown red cards, while the official also seemed to be hit by a bottle thrown by one of the players.

Jose Mourinho's Madrid side beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 on Wednesday to start the festivities in the capital, with Real bringing Barca's recent dominance to an end with its first championship since 2008.

It has been a remarkable story for the Portuguese coach, who has now claimed titles in Portugal, England and Italy, as well as Spain, and Mourinho is in no doubt over which has been the toughest.

"This has been the hardest and no-one has given us an inch during the season," he said.

"It has been crazy how many points we have managed to pick up. We have played football of a very high quality and now we can enjoy what we have achieved."

Mourinho arrived at Real in 2010 with the unenviable task of wresting the title back from a Barca side that has been described as one of the best of all time for its dominance of the European game in recent seasons and its style of quick passing football.

Now in his second year, Mourinho's meticulous work on the training ground has paid off and while it may not be admired to the extent of Barca for the way it plays the game, Madrid has still set a new record of 115 goals so far this season.

"These players deserve it, people have seen and cannot be in any doubt of that," said Mourinho.

"I dedicate this to all the people who have helped and suffered with the team."

"I know what these celebrations are like as I have now won seven league championships, but the next is always hardest."

While the league title is won, the battle continues for top scorer and Lionel Messi's hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Malaga means that he is now two ahead of Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo with 46 goals.

The game also saw Messi reach 68 goals overall and break Gerd Muller's record for a European season set in 1972-73.

Barcelona's derby clash with Espanyol will be an emotional occasion for Guardiola, who will take charge of the team for the last time at Camp Nou after deciding to step down after four years of unprecedented success including three league titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies.

Valencia is now favourite to win third place and it goes into its home game with Villarreal three points ahead of fourth-placed Malaga, who has a tricky match away to Europa League finalist Atletico Madrid.

With two games to go, the battle remains tight below it, with Levante - who is away to Real Mallorca - and Atletico currently occupying the Europa League positions.

At the other end of the table, relegated Racing Santander plays third-bottom Real Zaragoza, who is in desperate trouble and needs Sevilla to do it a favour against Rayo Vallecano.

Sporting Gijon is all but condemned after it crashed 3-2 at home to Villarreal and faces Real Betis, while elsewhere, Bilbao meets Getafe and Osasuna takes on Real Sociedad.

Real Madrid and Barcelona were both knocked out in the semi-finals, ending hopes and expectations of a 'Clasico' final between the two heavyweights.

Instead Bayern Munich and Chelsea will battle it out for honours on May 19, leading some to question whether Spain's recent dominance of the sport is on the wane.

However, national team coach Del Bosque insists that is not the case, pointing to the fact the Europa League final will be contested between Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.

"Last week after the Champions League matches, some people were asking questions about football in this country with the unexpected and surprising exits of Real Madrid and Barcelona," Del Bosque told a press conference.

"But our football continues to be the best in Europe.

"We are in a very healthy position and Spanish society should be able to take pride in our sporting achievements."

Aside from the country's success at club level, Spain is also the reigning world and European champion and will aim to make it a hat-trick of titles in Poland and Ukraine this northern summer.

Del Bosque is aware it will be a big challenge for his players, but one it is nevertheless looking forward to.

"We face an unprecedented challenge, a win after a win after a win, and we want to make history," he said.

"We are favourites but we should not think about it.

"We have an obligation to defend our title, it will be difficult but we will face the challenge head-on."

Del Bosque will name his provisional Euro 2012 squad on May 15, with the players gathering for training on May 20.

Spain's final 23-man squad will then be announced on May 27.

The capital club clinched its first La Liga crown since 2008 last night with a 3-0 victory at Athletic Bilbao.

Coach Jose Mourinho and his players celebrated in customary fashion by the Cibeles fountain, where thousands of Madrid fans were waiting to greet them after the team's open-top bus ride from the Bernabeu.

Ronaldo told www.realmadrid.com: "I feel incredibly happy. This is my first Spanish league title and I'm delighted about it. We've had a spectacular season and the fans deserve this. The team also deserves the title because we've played phenomenally well. I am very happy.

"I wish to thank everyone here. We're having a lot of fun and we want to win again next year to return.

"There are two games left in the championship and we've achieved our objective of winning the league. I'm not too worried about not winning the Pichichi [top scorer in La Liga] this year. We'll see what happens in the end."

Madrid's success ended a run of three straight titles for arch-rival Barca, and striker Karim Benzema now wants Mourinho's men to embark on a streak of their own.

"This is a dream come true for me and we will keep up the good work to win many more titles," the France international said. "We thank the fans for this."

Full-back Marcelo added: "I am very happy. This is an incredible team.

"Our fans are also extraordinary and we want to enjoy this with them. The atmosphere in the squad is marvelous. We all help each other and that helps us grow constantly."

Barcelona's 4-1 win over Malaga meant Madrid had to win at San Mames in the late game to seal a record 32nd league title, and it did so comfortably despite Ronaldo missing an early penalty.

Gonzalo Higuain opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a superb 18-yard effort into the top corner, before Mesut Ozil doubled Madrid's advantage four minutes later with a far-post finish from Ronaldo's brilliant low cross.

Ronaldo got on the scoresheet himself five minutes after half-time when he headed home Ozil's corner for his 44th league goal of the campaign to all-but end any hope of Europa League finalist Athletic getting back into the match.

The title was a seventh domestic crown for Mourinho, and the Portuguese earlier insisted it was the toughest of his career.

Mourinho has now won titles in four different countries following previous successes with Porto in his native Portugal, Chelsea in England and Inter Milan in Italy.

But the 49-year-old believes holding off the threat of Barca lends extra weight to the achievement.

He told RealMadridTV: "I won the league title in Portugal, Italy and England, but this one has been the toughest.

"I've won seven league titles overall and I know what it feels like.

"Barcelona won all their games, as befits the great team that they are. They've been winning to the very last day.

"They are a club with great tradition that knows we deserved to win this title."

Madrid visits Granada this weekend before completing its league programme at home to Real Mallorca.

Mourinho added: "We have to celebrate this championship (but then) we have to continue working after tomorrow because next season will also be tough and we have games to play still in this campaign.

"This team deserves even more emotion and affection, and I expect the Bernabeu to give it to them in our match against Mallorca."

Midfielder Xabi Alonso was another who felt edging out Barca was a significant achievement.

The Spain international said: "We finally managed to win La Liga. It's been a long season and there's a lot of merit in winning the title with two games left in the championship. We have to enjoy it now.

"We competed all season with a great opponent like Barcelona, and that's why there's so much merit in winning the title before the campaign ends. We've had a great run.

"We've been regular and consistent. I dedicate this to my family, friends and all Madridistas."

Real Madrid ended Barcelona's three-year reign as Spanish champions by clinching its 32nd domestic league title, while rock-bottom Racing Santander's relegation to the Segunda Division was sealed last weekend.

However, most of the other sides in La Liga still have something to fight for, at least mathematically, at one end of the table or the other.

At the summit, Valencia is assured of a top-four finish for the third successive season following its 4-0 win over Osasuna, but it still has work to do seal third spot.

Los Che faces a local derby against relegation-battling Villarreal holding a three-point lead over fourth-placed Malaga, which faces a testing trip to Atletico Madrid.

Valencia striker Aritz Aduriz, who netted a double against Osasuna, said: "We are going to fight for third place. We've taken a big step towards our objective with this win."

Big-spending Malaga, who has won just once in its last five matches, is also under pressure to keep hold of fourth spot with Levante three points behind it and Atletico five points back.

Europa League finalists Atletico know it only has a slim chance of getting back into the Champions League places, but coach Diego Simeone said: "We're going to continue battling until the numbers say otherwise."

The race to get into next season's Europa League is even more open, with an incredible eight teams separated by just five points between Atletico in sixth and Espanyol in 13th.

Mallorca is the in-form side among those contenders, climbing up to seventh on the back of four wins in its last five matches, and it will hope to pick up another three points when it hosts stuttering Levante this weekend.

Mallorca coach Joaquin Caparros said: "I ask that on Saturday we see a full stadium and the fans enjoying themselves, we're going to try and make a good atmosphere, we need everybody to be with us here on Saturday."

Double cup finalists Athletic Bilbao has seen its bid for a top-six finish dwindle following back-to-back defeats to Real Zaragoza and Barca but it is still in eighth spot, two points behind Atletico.

Athletic is at home to 12th-placed Getafe, which is only two points behind the Basque side – the same margin that local rivals Sevilla, in 10th, and Real Betis, in 11th, are.

Both Sevilla and Betis face relegation-battling sides on Saturday.

Betis, who moved level with Sevilla on 46 points with a last-gasp winner in yesterday's derby, goes to second-bottom Sporting Gijon, a side that must win its final two games to have any hope of avoiding the drop.

Sporting is currently six points behind 17th-placed Rayo Vallecano – the only team it can catch – but has the better head-to-head record against the Madrid-based outfit so still has a chance of staying up.

The good news for Sporting is that Rayo has suffered a dramatic loss of form at the wrong time, losing each of its last five matches and eight of its last nine. It takes on Sevilla.

If Rayo loses then in-form Real Zaragoza, the other team in the drop zone, could draw level with it on 40 points with a victory over relegated Racing.

In this weekend's three other fixtures, newly crowned champions Madrid goes to Granada, while Barca coach Pep Guardiola makes his Nou Camp farewell in a local derby against Espanyol.

Also, ninth-placed Osasuna takes on Real Sociedad.

Messi's hat-trick in last night's 4-1 Primera Liga victory over Malaga took his tally to 68 goals in all competitions this season, passing the previous best European mark of 67 set by Gerd Muller for Bayern Munich in 1972/73.

It also took the 24-year-old onto 46 in La Liga alone this season, six more than Cristiano Ronaldo netted in winning the European Golden Shoe last season and one behind the record mark set by Dinamo Bucharest's Dudu Georgescu in claiming the award in 1977. Ronaldo has also netted 44 times in the Primera Liga this season.

Both Barca and Madrid have two more league games left, while the Catalan club also has the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao to come.

Keita said of Messi, who earlier this year became Barcelona's all-time record goalscorer: "Leo is a star, he gets better every day and every match. We're lucky to have him in the team because he's a machine."

Messi's ninth hat-trick of the season for Barca came on a night which ultimately saw the club surrender its Primera Liga title to Real Madrid. Jose Mourinho's men beat Athletic Bilbao later in the evening to gain an unassailable lead at the summit.

The match at the Nou Camp was also an emotional one as Barca played its first home game since Pep Guardiola confirmed his intention to step down at the end of the season.

Guardiola, who has won 13 trophies in four years in charge, has decided not to renew his contract when it expires on June 30. He will be succeeded by his assistant Tito Vilanova.

Keita said: "Pep has given everything to this club. He's won a lot of titles. It's a source of pride for the supporters and the club to have him. Thank you, Pep."

Midfielder Ibrahim Afellay said: "It's a shame because, for me, he's one of the best coaches in the world, and as well as that he's a great person. I understand his decision because Barca are a very big club and it drains you. Tito will be a similar coach to Guardiola."

Centre-back Marc Bartra, one of numerous youth team players who Guardiola has brought through to the senior set-up, added: "We're hurt by the news about Pep, we all thought he was going to stay, but when we found out that Tito was going to coach us, we were very happy, because the commitment to the youth system will continue."

But the 49-year-old believes holding off the threat of Barcelona to guide Madrid to its first La Liga crown since 2008 lends extra weight to the achievement.

He told RealMadridTV: "I won the league title in Portugal, Italy and England, but this one has been the toughest.

"I've won seven league titles overall and I know what it feels like.

"Barcelona won all their games, as befits the great team that they are. They've been winning to the very last day.

"They are a club with great tradition that knows we deserved to win this title."

Mourinho and his players will celebrate in customary fashion by the Cibeles fountain in Madrid before visiting Granada at the weekend.

The side completes its league schedule at home to Real Mallorca.

Mourinho added: "We have to celebrate this championship [but then] we have to continue working after tomorrow because next season will also be tough and we have games to play still in this campaign.

"This team deserves even more emotion and affection, and I expect the Bernabeu to give it to them in our match against Mallorca."

Midfielder Xabi Alonso was another who felt edging out Barca was a significant achievement.

The Spain international said: "We finally managed to win La Liga. It's been a long season and there's a lot of merit in winning the title with two games left in the championship. We have to enjoy it now.

"We competed all season with a great opponent like Barcelona, and that's why there's so much merit in winning the title before the campaign ends. We've had a great run.

"We've been regular and consistent. I dedicate this to my family, friends and all Madridistas."

Ronaldo missed an early penalty at San Mames but he was later on the mark to add to goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Mesut Ozil as Madrid ended Barcelona's three-year reign as Spanish champion.

"It's great. It's my first league here in Spain and I'm very happy, it's mission accomplished and to win the league is great," Ronaldo, who joined Madrid from Manchester United in 2009, was quoted as saying by AS newspaper.

Barcelona's 4-1 win over Malaga earlier in the night meant Madrid had to win at San Mames in the evening's late game to seal a record 32nd La Liga crown, and it did so comfortably despite Ronaldo's early penalty miss.

Jose Mourinho's men will celebrate their first league title since 2008 with a traditional visit to Plaza de Cibeles in the centre of the capital (Thursday) night, where supporters will be able to greet their heroes.

Real triumph means coach Jose Mourinho has now won championships in four of Europe's leading leagues after successes in Portugal, England and Italy.

Here we look at Mourinho's title wins:

FC PORTO (Portugal)

2002-2003: Mourinho won the first of back-to-back Liga Sagres titles with Porto in 2003 when, in his first full season at the club, he helped them finish 11 points clear of his former club Benfica after losing just twice in 34 games.

2003-2004: It was an almost identical story the next season as Porto retained its title with an eight-point gap to Benfica after again losing just two matches. Mourinho also led Porto to the Champions League title that season before leaving to join Chelsea.

CHELSEA (England)

2004-2005: Mourinho was an immediate hit in England as, in his first season, he led Chelsea to only the second championship in its history and first since 1955. The Blues lost just once in 38 matches to finish 12 clear of reigning champion Arsenal.

2005-2006: As with Porto, Mourinho led a side to successive league titles after another dominant season that saw the Blues finish eight points clear of Manchester United despite losing their final two games.

INTER MILAN (Italy)

2008-2009: Having left Chelsea in late 2007, Mourinho took charge of Inter the following northern summer and again it did not take him long to work his magic as the Nerazzurri won the league in his debut season with a 10-point gap to Juventus.

2009-2010: Mourinho's Inter retained its title during a record-breaking season which saw it become the first Italian side to win the treble of Serie A, Champions League and Coppa Italia. in 2010 Mourinho left Italy to join Real Madrid.

REAL MADRID (Spain)

2011-2012: After failing to knock two-time reigning champion Barcelona off its perch during his first season at the Bernabeu, Mourinho tasted league success in his second year aftera record-breaking campaign that saw it smash the club's 51-year-old record of 168 competitive goals in a season and pass the Primera Liga single-season record of 107, which was set by Madrid in 1990.

Barcelona's 4-1 win over Malaga earlier meant Madrid had to win at San Mames in the late game to seal a record 32nd La Liga crown, and it did so comfortably despite missing an early penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo, who also missed from 12 yards in last week's penalty shoot-out defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final, saw his attempted dink saved by Gorka Iraizoz in the 12th minute, but within eight minutes of that miss Madrid was 2-0 up and well on its way to ending Barca's three-year reign as champion.

Gonzalo Higuain opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a superb 18-yard effort into the top corner, before Ozil doubled Madrid's advantage four minutes later with a far-post finish from Ronaldo's brilliant low cross.

Ronaldo got on the scoresheet himself five minutes after half-time when he headed home Ozil's corner for his 44th league goal of the campaign to all but end any hope of Europa League finalist Athletic getting back into the match.

Athletic had Spain international Javi Martinez sent off in 72nd minute as Madrid comfortably controlled the closing stages en route to the title-winning victory.

The success means Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, who is in second season at the Bernabeu, has now won league titles in four different countries having been victorious with Porto (Portugal), Chelsea (England) and Inter Milan (Italy).

Barcelona ensured Madrid would have to do earn the title win itself as Pep Guardiola's men claimed a convincing victory over Malaga in which Lionel Messi enjoyed another record-breaking match.

The Argentina international netted a hat-trick to set the record for most goals scored in a European season.

Messi scored twice from the penalty spot before wrapping up his treble with a low drive to take his tally to 68 goals for the campaign, passing the previous mark of 67 set by Gerd Muller in 1972-1973.

Messi's eight treble of the season, which sees him leading Ronaldo by two goals in the race to be top scorer in La Liga, came after Carles Puyol fired the home side in front, only for that lead to be cancelled out by Jose Salomon Rondon.

It was also an emotional night at the Nou Camp as Barca played its first home game since Guardiola confirmed his intention to step down at the end of the season.

Malaga's defeat means Valencia was able to take a step closer to securing third spot when it thrashed Osasuna 4-0 thanks to four goals in the last 13 minutes.

Osasuna had been playing with only 10 men since first-half injury-time following the dismissal of Dejan Lekic, and they were unable to hold out as Valencia took the win through late braces from Aritz Aduriz (77 & 87) and Jonas Oliveira (82 & 88).

Valencia is now three points clear of Malaga heading into the final two games of the season.

The good news for Malaga is that it is still three points ahead of Levante, which was beaten 1-0 at relegation-battling Real Zaragoza, for whom Edu Oriol scored the only goal in the 11th minute.

Third-bottom Zaragoza is now only three points behind Rayo Vallecano and safety.

Rayo Vallecano slumped to a fifth successive loss and eighth in nine games after losing 1-0 at Real Mallorca, Gonzalo Castro's 62nd-minute goal deciding the match.

In the Seville derby, Benat Etxebarria fired home an injury-time free-kick to hand Real Betis a dramatic 2-1 victory and deal a potentially fatal blow to Sevilla's hopes of claiming a UEFA Europa League qualifying place.

Host Sevilla went into the game without a win in three but made a dream start when Alvaro Negredo struck after six minutes, but Betis drew level through Benat in the 43rd minute before the midfielder netted a last-gasp winner after the home side had Gary Medel sent off.

The result dragged Betis level on points with its neighbour on 46 points but leaves the pair four points off sixth-placed Atletico Madrid, which conceded a last-gasp equaliser to draw 1-1 at home with Real Sociedad.

Gabi put Atletico ahead but the midfielder undid some of his good work by picking up two yellow cards in quick succession to leave his side a man down for the final 17 minutes, and that pressure told as Sociedad striker Carlos Vela scrambled home a 90th-minute equaliser from only a yard out.

Jose Mourinho does not have a lot of competition for his number one shot-stopper, with Antonio Adan having made just three appearances since his promotion to the first team in 2009.

Wiese has spent his entire career in Germany and has been with Werder Bremen since 2005, making 27 appearances in the Bundesliga this season.

"There is some truth in that Real Madrid want to sign me," Wiese told the Kreiszeitung. "There was contact between the club and my agent."

Real may have some competition for the 30-year-old, who has been linked with Italian giant AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus as well as Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur.

Wiese admits he would relish a move abroad but will not be rushed into making a decision.

"Several factors come into play before making a decision, such as the family," he added. "I have to think about everything carefully. The option is to play in the big leagues."

When five Primera Division clubs made it through to the semi-finals of the two European competitions it was the prospective 'Clasico' Champions League final showdown between Barcelona and Real Madrid that attracted most attention.

But, with those two sides somewhat surprisingly being dumped out by Chelsea and Bayern Munich, it has given the chance to Europa League finalists Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid to show the footballing world there is much more to La Liga than just the big two.

It is an encounter that promises to have something for everyone.

For those who like their matches filled with thrills, spills and goals - the last time these two sides drew 0-0 against each other was back in 1998, and the 22 fixtures between the pair since then have produced an average of more than three goals per game.

There is evidence to suggest it will not be any different in Bucharest next week either, with Bilbao having wowed much of Europe with its attractive and hugely effective high-tempo attacking football this season, not least in its quarter-final humbling of mighty Manchester United.

Star striker Fernando Llorente is a big threat both in the air and on the ground, while he is ably supported by a host of seemingly indefatigable team-mates such as Iker Muniain, Oscar de Marcos and Markel Susaeta.

Prompting from the middle of the park there is Ander Herrera while Spain internationals Javi Martinez and Andoni Iraola have also impressed during the side's run to its first European final since 1977.

New-look Atletico Madrid has also proved a formidable and entertaining side as it seeks a second Europa League title in three years, winning 16 of 18 games in the competition this season while losing just once.

Adrian Lopez, Diego and Arda Turan have all done well in their first seasons at Atletico, but there is little doubt where the capital club's main threat lies - Radamel Falcao.

The Rojiblancos bought the Colombia international last northern summer to cover the loss of Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan and the former Porto man has been a massive hit.

The 26-year-old has added 10 goals to the Europa League-record 17 he netted in Porto's title-winning campaign last year, and has 33 overall for Atletico this term.

Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois told uefa.com: "It's going to be 50-50. We are more or less level in the league. In Athletic we know we are facing a great team where almost anything can happen, but we hope we can win it."

Aside from the promise of goals, the match should also appeal to the football romantics, with Athletic's success in reaching two cup finals this season - it is also in the Copa del Rey showpiece - a fairytale story.

The Basque club's philosophy of only selecting locally-produced players puts it at an obvious disadvantage to all of its rivals, and the prospect of Athletic returning to its past glory days seemed to be diminishing by the season in the modern world of big-money signings.

Indeed, Athletic almost saw its proud record of being one of only three clubs never to have been outside the Spanish top flight come to an end in 2007 when it avoided relegation by just a point after winning on the final day.

However, Athletic has not only become a force to be reckoned with in La Liga again, but it is within touching distance of a trophy double - having not tasted silverware since 1984.

Winger Susaeta said after his side booked its final spot: "It's been a beautiful week so far and what's vital now, given that Athletic have gone so many years without winning anything, is for us to ensure we win at least one of our two finals. The fans deserve something."

Tactical aficionados will also find the Europa League final an interesting case study as it pits apprentice Diego Simeone against master Marcelo Bielsa, both of whom are in their first seasons with their clubs.

The 56-year-old Bielsa, who was Simeone's former Argentina coach, has revolutionised Athletic's style of play this season and helped turn a promising young bunch of players into a side that has taken Europe by storm.

Simeone, 42, has also made a considerable impact since taking charge at Atletico in December, steeling up a Rojiblancos side that in recent years has been breathtaking going forward but often too generous at the back.

Simeone said: "It's great for us to meet in the final. We have a great mutual affection for each other. It's going to be very nice."

So, while the Barca-Real dream final may not be taking place this year, the Europa League showpiece looks to have everything needed to be a classic of its own.

Sporting Gijon is now almost certainly returning to the second-rung of Spanish football after three seasons in the top division.

Full-back Mario Gaspar put the away team ahead on 19 minutes only for Alberto Lora to level 20 minutes later.

The all important third goal came from the penalty spot when Marcos Senna put Villarreal ahead just before half-time after Sporting defender Gregory Arnolin had inexplicably brought down Marco Ruben.

Hernan Perez added a third on 56 minutes and although Alejandro Galvez gave the home team some hope with five minutes remaining, it was Villarreal which deservedly took the crucial three points.

The referee threatened to remove the teams in injury-time as the home fans showed their discontent by throwing objects onto the pitch.

With only two games remaining, the 'yellow submarine' which reached the Europa League semi-final last season and narrowly lost a Champions League semi to Arsenal in 2006, moves seven points clear of Sporting in a game that was always going to be decisive for the loser.

Villarreal will be safe if Zaragoza fails to beat Levante on Wednesday while Sporting's only hope of survival comes with gaining two wins in its final two games and hoping Rayo Vallecano, currently six points ahead, does not pick up another point.

Earlier Nigerian forward Odion Ighalo scored a first-half double for Granada to help the Andalusian club to a vital 2-1 home win over Espanyol that also almost guarantees it will be playing in the first division next season.

Didac Vila got a goal back for Espanyol but Granada hung on for the win that puts it eight points clear of Sporting, which now can't catch it, and Zaragoza which plays on Wednesday.

If Zaragoza fails to beat Levante at home then Granada will be playing its second season in La Liga since 1976 after its promotion back to the top division last northern summer.

Also on Tuesday Getafe wasted a chance to improve its hopes of qualifying for next season's Europa League after drawing 1-1 at home to already relegated Racing Santander.

Miku scored a 59th minute penalty for the home team but Pape Diop levelled the game five minutes later to earn a deserved point for Racing.

Getafe remains 10th with 46 points but seems destined to miss out on European football as a host of teams above it play on Wednesday.

Real Madrid will win its first league in four seasons on Wednesday if it beats Athletic Bilbao or if second-placed Barcelona fails to beat Malaga.

According to El Confidencial, Mourinho asked Ibrahimovic five weeks ago: "Do you want to come to Real Madrid? If so, get ready. I will try and get you here."

He was said to have received a positive response, with Ibrahimovic rumoured to be keen to join the Portuguese boss’s mission of bringing Barcelona and coach Pep Guardiola back to the pack.

It was Guardiola who pushed Ibrahimovic out of the Nou Camp on loan to Milan in 2010, but with the news the star coach will leave the Catalan giant at the end of a disappointing season in which the UEFA Champions League and likely the Spanish Primera Division title have evaded him, Ibrahimovic’s motivation for revenge might have dwindled.

Mourinho would also likely have to exchange more than money for the Swede’s services, with Kaka and Gonzalo Higuain two names mooted to go the other, making any deal increasingly complex.

However, Mourinho knows how to get the best out of Ibrahimovic, and remains keen to make the signing, according to the reports inside Spain. The pair worked together in Serie A during 2008-2009, when Mourinho was then coach of his Inter Milan side, inspiring the 30-year-old striker to a tally of 29 goals.

A similarly positive relationship at Real Madrid could give Mourinho the extra firepower he needs to claim the UEFA Champions League next season, having lost at the semi-final stage to Bayern Munich this term.

Madrid is seven points clear of its top rival with three games to play, so even a Barcelona loss earlier in the day will award the Spanish leader its record 32nd domestic crown.

Madrid's record achievement - Barcelona is next closest with 21 trophies - comes with the team building on its record 112 goals scored in a season, Cristiano Ronaldo looking to establish a record scoring total in a season and coach Jose Mourinho set to become the first coach to win league titles in four different countries.

Mourinho has won league titles in Portugal with FC Porto, in England with Chelsea and Italy with Inter Milan, and now the Portuguese coach looks set to add a Spanish title to his resume.

"A team like Madrid cannot continue on any longer being a supporting act," goalkeeper Iker Casillas said as he eyed his fifth league title with Madrid but the first in four years that have been dominated by Barcelona.

"We're a little tired of it and it looks like it's over. All of our work over these months, even years, is finally bearing fruit."

Ronaldo scored his record 43rd goal in Sunday's (Monday AEDT) 3-0 victory over Sevilla only for Lionel Messi to match that total with his own brace in Barcelona's 7-0 win at Rayo Vallecano. Messi's overall goal tally on the season is 65 goals to Ronaldo 57.

Barcelona's last three games, starting against Malaga, will serve as preparation for next month's Copa del Rey final against Athletic, which will be coach Pep Guardiola's last game in charge before handing over the reins to assistant Tito Vilanova.

Barcelona responded to Guardiola's announcement of his departure by thrashing Rayo for its largest ever away victory, with the coach rotating his team and leaving out Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas.

Alexis Sanchez is questionable against Malaga, which is tied on points with third-place Valencia in the chase to qualify for Champions League football next season.

Valencia hasn't had the best week after it lost to Malaga last weekend and failed to reach the Europa League final.

"Everything depends on ourselves," said under-pressure Valencia coach Unai Emery, whose club has been third nearly all season long. "If we take three points against Osasuna (on Thursday AEDT), third place is ours."

On Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT), Villarreal travels to Sporting Gijon knowing victory secures its place in the first division and condemns Sporting - and likely Zaragoza - to relegation.

Villarreal is four points ahead of Sporting and Zaragoza, which welcomes Levante on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT) with the Valencia club also chasing the final Champions League spot. Villarreal is only three points behind Malaga.

Atletico Madrid must beat Real Sociedad to stay in touch with Malaga, which it trails by six points, while Athletic will likely have no chance if it loses to Madrid with it already trailing fourth place by seven points.

In other matches, it's: Getafe v Racing Santander, Granada v Espanyol, Mallorca v Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla v Real Betis.

Real Madrid stayed on course for its first Primera Division title in four years as it cantered to a 3-0 win over Sevilla earlier in the day.

Madrid is still seven points clear of its arch rival with three games remaining.

Madrid will officially be crowned Spanish champion for the 32nd time if it defeats Athletic Bilbao in Thursday's (AEST) 36th round of fixtures, regardless of the result of Barca's game against Malaga.

Barcelona took its frustrations out on poor Rayo after a dismal week that began with a damaging loss to Madrid, saw them exit the UEFA Champions League against Chelsea and then receive the shock news that coach Pep Guardiola would stand down at the end of the season.

Lionel Messi started and finished the scoring for the wounded Catalans, with Barca's other goals coming from a Pedro Rodriguez brace, Seydou Keita, Thiago and a Robert own goal.

Malaga moved level with Valencia in third as Nacho Camacho's first-half header secured a 1-0 win at La Rosaleda.

Camacho netted the only goal with a towering header from Jesus Gamez's cross just before the half-hour mark.

Things got even worse for Valencia when Sofiane Feghouli was dismissed for a second bookable offence just after the hour.

Radamel Falcao struck a stoppage-time equaliser to salvage a point for Atletico Madrid in a 2-2 draw at Real Betis.

Atletico took a 63rd-minute lead through substitute Jorge Koke but Betis looked to have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat when its own replacements Alejandro Pozuelo (86) and Jonathan Pereira (88) netted in quick succession to put the host team 2-1 up.

However, there was to be another late twist in the tale when, from a corner four minutes into injury time, Falcao headed home from close range to level the game up.

In the day's other game, Real Zaragoza kept alive its chances of survival with a deserved 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao thanks to goals in either half from Edu Oriol and Apono.

A bright start from the host was rewarded after 19 minutes as Cristiano Ronaldo slotted home his 57th goal of the season.

However, Sevilla then enjoyed a decent spell and passed up two glorious opportunities to equalise as Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo both fired over when one-on-one with Iker Casillas.

Any nerves among the host was settled quickly after the break, though, as Karim Benzema finished twice at the back post after fine crosses from Angel Di Maria and Sergio Ramos.

Should Barcelona lose at Rayo Vallecano this evening, Madrid will officially be crowned Spanish champions for the 32nd time.

After the disappointment of losing in the UEFA Champions League to Bayern Munich, manager Jose Mourinho lamented the physical strain put on the side by playing Barcelona in between the two legs of its semi-final.

But the manager only made one change to the side that started against Bayern as Esteban Granero came in for Sami Khedira.

The host was fortunate not to be a goal down after just five minutes as Federico Fazio had the ball in the net, but referee Mateu Lahoz had already blown for a foul by Negredo on Pepe.

The league leader was soon into its stride, though, and made the breakthrough inside 20 minutes as Benzema freed Ronaldo on the left and he cut inside before stroking the ball past Javi Varas.

However, Madrid's intensity seemed to drop and Sevilla should have at the very least been level midway through the half as Navas shot way off target after being found by a fine through-ball from Jose Antonio Reyes before Negredo was presented with an even better opportunity from another exquisite pass from Reyes, but his lob over Casillas landed on the roof of the net.

Madrid regained the initiative before the break and Ronaldo was inches away from his second of the afternoon as Xabi Alonso tapped an in-direct free-kick inside the area and Ronaldo smashed the ball off the inside of the post.

Negredo had another chance to bring Sevilla level three minutes into the second half as he turned Pepe, but again his final effort was poor as he shot straight into the grateful hands of Casillas.

And within sixty seconds the visitor found itself further behind as Coke attempted to clear Di Maria's cross from the left, but instead only helped the ball into the path of Benzema and he accepted the gift to fire in his 30th goal of the season.

Four minutes later he had his 31t as a typically quick break from Madrid saw Mesut Ozil feed Ramos on the right and his cross was met by a crashing header by Benzema.

Sevilla continued to press and probe, but lacked conviction as Madrid comfortably held on to claim a win.

Highly-rated French winger Antoine Griezmann netted twice in the second half before setting up Imanol Agirretxe for Sociedad's third seven minutes from time as Racing's 10-year spell in La Liga came to end.

The writing has been on the wall for some time for Racing, which has taken just three points from the last 13 games and is without a victory since mid-January.

Third-bottom Sporting Gijon look determined to avoid the same fate as Racing and it gave its hopes of survival another big boost with a 3-0 win at Espanyol.

Second-half goals from Adrian Colunga, Oscar Trejo and substitute Mate Bilic earned Sporting a third victory in four games and it moves on to 34 points - four behind Villarreal, which was held 1-1 at home by Osasuna.

Villarreal looked set to move six points clear of the drop zone after taking a 44th-minute lead through Bruno Soriano but the host paid the price for failing to make the most of several opportunities when Osasuna midfielder Raul Garcia found the top corner with a stunning volley 18 minutes from time.

That was a blow for Villarreal but it received good news from elsewhere as 16th-placed Granada lost 3-1 at UEFA Champions League-chasing Levante.

Levante moved back into the top four ahead of Malaga, who play third-placed Valencia on Monday (AEST), thanks to goals from Arouna Kone (46), Xavi Torres (73) and Valdo (85). Granada had briefly drawn level through Odion Ighalo's 67th-minute equaliser.

In the other match, Real Mallorca leapfrogged Getafe into the top 10 with a three-point haul at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

Goals from Victor Casadesus, Alejandro Alfaro and substitute Tomer Hemed put Mallorca in complete charge and Getafe could only manage a late consolation strike from Alexis.

Tito Vilanova will step up from his role as assistant at the end of the season and replace Pep Guardiola, who announced he was ending his four-year spell in charge.

Until now, Vilanova has been renowned as the man who was poked in the eye by Real Madrid coach Mourinho during a typically heated Clasico match.

Guardiola endorsed Vilanova's promotion, saying he was an integral part of the club's most successful period - winning 13 of 17 trophies since 2008.

"I think the club is right on (choosing Tito), he is more than qualified, and the players know him," Guardiola said during his announcement he was stepping down.

"He will change very little of what we do, and he will give a lot to the players and club."

Vilanova and Guardiola's strong friendship dates back to their time at Barcelona's La Masia youth academy together.

Guardiola went on to become captain and help Barcelona to its first European Cup in 1992 but Vilanova never really succeeded as a player.

The 42-year-old native of the Catalan village of Bellcaire d'Emporda was assistant to Guardiola when he took over as coach of Barca B in 2007.

Together they helped the team win promotion to the second division and earned themselves the chance to take over the first team in 2008.

Guardiola backed Vilanova from the moment he decided to step down, advising sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta to promote his right-hand man.

"Why Tito?" Zubizarreta said. "Because he represents the game, the analysis, the preparation, he puts the extra hour into preparation, he has the capacity and the personality to be here because we know him. So we decided to look inside our house and it was easy."

Zubizarreta said Vilanova's appeal was his inside knowledge of the club's La Masia youth system, which Guardiola had increasingly relied on over the years.

Vilanova spent six years at La Masia, from 1984-90, but never made it to the top-flight team, going on to play for clubs such as Celta Vigo and Mallorca before his playing career was cut short by a serious knee injury.

That injury led Vilanova into coaching and to Barcelona's cadets, tutoring current first-team players Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique.

Vilanova moved on from Barcelona to work as sport director at third division club Terrassa before answering Guardiola's call to help him lead Barca B up from the third division.

"I never imagined (coaching) until Pep put the idea forward and then I never doubted it," Vilanova said in an interview with El Mundo Deportivo in 2009.

"These things happen this way."

Vilanova has the players to maintain the club's philosophy of play that has seen many label it one of the greatest teams of all time.

However, he may need his youth academy insight sooner rather than later, with players like Xavi Hernandez and Carles Puyol approaching the end of their careers.

Vilanova will also have to combat a rejuvenated Madrid side, led by Mourinho, which is poised to end Barcelona's three-year stranglehold on the league title.

Mourinho, though, is a very familiar foe for Vilanova.

Guardiola confirmed that he would leave Barca at the end of the season after an incredibly successful four years in charge, with his assistant Tito Vilanova already announced as his successor.

Guardiola insisted he now plans to take a break from the game, but speculation persists that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich might try to tempt him to reconsider.

Spanish sports daily AS reported a meeting between Guardiola and Abramovich had taken place in Paris in February, but when he was asked whether that was the case, Guardiola replied: "No. That would have been disrespectful towards the club."

Abramovich is a known admirer of Barcelona's attractive possession game and the Blues are still to confirm a permanent successor to Andre Villas-Boas, although Roberto Di Matteo has impressed in an interim capacity, leading Chelsea to the UEFA Champions League final after seeing off Barca in the semi finals, as well as guiding it to the FA Cup final.

Guardiola explained the fear of burn-out was behind his decision to walk and revealed he would now be taking time away from the pressures of coaching.

"I would like you to understand that this is not an easy decision for me. But I would like to explain my reasons for this decision," he said.

"I have always wanted short-term contracts. Four years is an eternity as Barca coach. In the month of October I announced to the president and to the sporting director that I thought my spell was coming to an end.

"I have given everything and I have nothing left and need to recharge my batteries.

"The demands have been great and I have not been able to rest much. I have to recover and the only way I can do that is by distancing myself. Otherwise, we would have ended up damaging each other.

"I know that I'm leaving the best place to work in. I am very satisfied with the results we have achieved. I have had the great privilege of coaching fantastic players. I want to thank them.

"I don't know what I will do now but I will not go straight to coaching."

Guardiola's final match in charge of Barca will be the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao next month.

These are five of his best wins as Barca boss.

Real Madrid 2 Barcelona 6 (Primera Division - 2 May, 2009)

Barcelona took a giant step towards winning the Primera Division title in Guardiola's first season at the helm by crushing arch rival and nearest challenger Real Madrid in stunning fashion at the Bernabeu. Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi both netted braces while Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique were also on the scoresheet as the treble-chasing visitor inflicted a first league defeat on in-form Madrid since beating the then champion at Camp Nou in December. Madrid had picked up 52 points from a possible 54 since that match, but this defeat left them seven points adrift of Barca with only four games remaining.

Barcelona 2 Manchester United 0 (Champions League final - 27 May, 2009)

Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi combined to sweep Manchester United aside and lead Barcelona to victory in Rome, handing Guardiola an amazing treble of league, cup and Champions League in his first season. The Catalans richly deserved their triumph after producing a mesmeric display United were simply unable to match after Eto'o had given his side a 10th-minute lead. Messi's looping header killed the Red Devils off after the interval.

Barcelona 5 Real Madrid 0 (Primera Division - 29 November, 2010)

A second-half brace from David Villa led Barcelona to an incredible rout of Real Madrid and saw the Catalans leapfrog their fierce rivals - who lost for the first time under Jose Mourinho - at the top of the Primera Division. Mourinho had gone unbeaten in his first 19 games in all competitions since joining Madrid in the summer, but the Portuguese was unable to avoid defeat in the biggest one of all as Guardiola maintained his perfect record as Barca coach in El Clasico with a fifth straight victory over Madrid. Xavi and Pedro put Barca two up within 17 minutes, while Villa made it a night to remember at a packed Nou Camp with two goals early in the second half and substitute Jeffren Suarez added a fifth right at the end. To add insult to injury for Madrid, it finished the match with 10 men after Sergio Ramos pushed Puyol in the face late on.

Barcelona 3 Manchester United 1 (Champions League final - 28 May, 2011)

Barcelona cemented its status as the greatest team of the era by romping to victory over Manchester United at Wembley, denying Sir Alex Ferguson's side Champions League glory for the second time in three years. Messi moved ever closer to the pantheon of all-time greats with a virtuoso performance in the biggest club game of all, scoring a stunning goal to make it 2-1 after Wayne Rooney had cancelled out Pedro Rodriguez's opener. United fell into the same trap as in the final two years ago in Rome, Barca completely dominating after surviving an early onslaught as David Villa applied the killer third goal with more than 20 minutes remaining.

Barcelona 7 Bayer Leverkusen 1 (Champions League last 16 - 7 March, 2012)

Lionel Messi scored five goals at Camp Nou as the holder destroyed Bayer Leverkusen to confirm its place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 10-2 aggregate win in the last-16 tie. Barca had been understated but superior in the first leg in Germany, winning 3-1, and was expected to ease through in the return match. However, it played with trademark hunger under Guardiola as Messi became the first player to score five in a single Champions League game while substitute Cristian Tello added two in a performance of startling brilliance. Karim Bellarabi managed a consolation in stoppage time.

1971: Born 18 January in Manresa, Barcelona. Nicknamed 'Pep'.

1990: December - Makes Barcelona debut against Cadiz. Coach Johan Cruyff converts him from right wing to centre midfield.

1991: Makes four league appearances as Barca wins Primera Division.

1992: May - Helps Barca retain league title and win European Cup, beating Sampdoria 1-0 at Wembley.

August - Scores in Olympic final in Barcelona against Ghana as Spain takes gold medal.

October - Makes full international debut in Belfast against Northern Ireland.

1993: Makes 28 appearances as Barca wins third consecutive title.

1994: The Cruyff 'Dream Team' makes it four league wins in a row, with Guardiola as captain on last day of the season.

1995: Scores his first two top-flight goals, but Barca is beaten to the title by Real Madrid.

1996: Cruyff quits. Barca makes Copa del Rey final but is beaten by Atletico Madrid in Copa and the league. Spain coach Javier Clemente leaves Guardiola out of Euro 96 squad.

1997: Barca, under Bobby Robson, wins Copa del Rey and European Cup Winners' Cup but again finishes behind Madrid in league. Louis van Gaal becomes new trainer at Nou Camp.

1998: Barcelona beats Borussia Dortmund 3-1 on aggregate to take last European Super Cup played over two legs. Van Gaal's side also wins La Liga and Copa del Rey but Guardiola plays only six times and misses out on World Cup squad place.

1999: Barca retains league, but fails to make the Champions League final at the Nou Camp. Guardiola plays 22 times, scoring once.

2000: Barca defeated 5-3 on aggregate by Valencia in Champions League semi-finals. Finishes second in Primera Division, five points behind Deportivo La Coruna. Plays in all four of Spain's Euro 2000 games.

2001: June - Barca finishes season in fourth. Knocked out of Copa del Rey at last-four stage by Celta Vigo. The 1-1 second-leg draw at Nou Camp is Guardiola's last game in the Blaugrana shirt.

September - Signs for Brescia in Serie A.

November 11 - Banned from Italian football, having tested positive for nandrolone after Brescia's 1-0 win over Piacenza on October 21.

November 28 - Tests positive for nandrolone again after match against Lazio on November 4. Later banned for a total of four months by Lega Calcio and fined 2000 euros.

2002: Signs for Roma but plays only four games in his one season at the club. Returns to Brescia in winter transfer window where, along with Roberto Baggio, he is key in helping them avoid relegation.

2003: Signs for Qatari side Al-Ahly for two seasons and has an immediate impact, winning the best foreign newcomer award.

2005: After a coaching course in Spain, joins Dorados de Sinaloa in Mexico in December, but only plays until March before returning to finish the course.

2006: July - Becomes a qualified coach.

November - Announces his retirement from playing.

2007: July - Named as coach of Barcelona B.

October - Cleared of drug charges from six years earlier.

2008: Named as head coach of Barcelona, to replace Frank Rijkaard on June 30.

2009: May 2 - Steers Barca to 6-2 victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

May 13 - Barcelona defeats Athletic Bilbao 4-1 to win the Copa del Rey and earns Guardiola first silverware as coach.

May 16 - Madrid's defeat at Villarreal secures Barca a first league title since 2006.

May 27 - Barca beats Manchester United 2-0 in Champions League final to become the first Spanish club to complete the treble.

August - Wins European Super Cup with a 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk and the Spanish Supercopa with 5-1 aggregate win over Athletic Bilbao.

December 19 - Barca claims its sixth trophy of the year with a 2-1 win over Estudiantes in the Club World Cup.

2010: April 10 - Becomes the first manager in Barcelona's history to beat Real Madrid four times in a row in El Clasico.

April 28 - Knocked out of Champions League at semi-final stage, going down 3-2 on aggregate to eventual champion Inter Milan.

May - Steers Barca to 20th La Liga title with a European record of 99 points.

July 14 - Signs one-year contract extension to remain at the Nou Camp until June 30, 2011.

November 29 - Leads Barca to a famous 5-0 Clasico victory over Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid.

2011: February - Signs one-year contract extension to keep him at Barca until June 2012.

April 26 - Leads Barca to Copa Del Rey final for second year in a row but they lose 1-0 to Real Madrid.

May 2 - Guides Barca to their second Champions League final in three years, beating Real Madrid over two-legged semi.

May 11 - Leads Barca to third straight Primera Division title, secured with two games to spare by 1-1 draw at Levante.

August - Leads Barcelona to victories in the Spanish Supercopa and UEFA Super Cup.

December 18 - Barca beat Santos 4-0 in the FIFA Club World Cup final.

2012: April 21 - Barca lose 2-1 at home to Real Madrid - a result which puts Mourinho's men seven points clear with just four games remaining.

April 24 - Barca only manages a 2-2 draw at home to Chelsea in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final, meaning it goes out 3-2 on aggregate.

April 27 - Announces he will not renew his contract and will leave Barca at the end of the season.

Here are comments about him from football personalities.

"The philosophy of Barcelona has to be bigger than losing or winning a championship. Guardiola is one of the representatives of this philosophy and he made it triumph." - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

"Guardiola is the best possible coach for Barcelona." - Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho.

"Pep is Barca. He lives for this club. That is what makes him different to many coaches." - Barcelona president Sandro Rosell.

"Pep transmitted an enormous amount of pride in our work, ambition and hunger. He won our confidence from the first day because we could see that things were being done correctly and then when results started to flow the confidence grew with them." - Barcelona striker Lionel Messi.

"We have to thank Guardiola for the great years of football he gave us with Barcelona. I will take my hat off." - former Netherlands striker Ruud Gullit

"He's one of the few intellectuals I have come across in a dressing-room, intellectual in the sense he thinks about a lot of things. A lot about football, of course, but also about literature and other cultural things." - former England coach Fabio Capello.

"What a coach, what a manager and what a great guy." - Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo.

"He doesn't give himself a minute's rest. He's pig-headed, football is his everything and he puts so much intensity into everything. Pep's almost got a sickness for football." - Barcelona midfielder Xavi.

"Pep Guardiola was a very intelligent player - I always felt that very strongly when I was on the pitch with him. He knew how to move and was very aware of the movement of others." - former Italy defender Franco Baresi.

He won 13 major trophies since joining the club in 2008-2009.

His record after four seasons is:

Champions League (2): 2009, 2011

Spanish Liga (3): 2009, 2010, 2011

Club World Cup (2): 2009, 2011

Copa del Rey (1): 2009

UEFA Super Cup (2): 2009, 2011

Spanish Supercopa (3): 2009, 2010 and 2011.

He will get a chance to win his 14th major title when Barcelona meets Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final.

Guardiola spoke to the players before training in the morning after deciding not to renew his contract which expires in the summer and he will quit Camp Nou after four hugely successful years as coach.

He announced his decision at 13.30 pm local time alongside Barca president Sandro Rosell and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta.

Guardiola is thought to have met with Rosell, vice-president for sport Josep Maria Bartomeu and Zubizarreta on Thursday - two days after Barca was eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by Chelsea - and indicated his desire to leave.

At the club's request he promised to give it further thought but emerged with the same decision.

Guardiola said he was standing down at the end of the season to "recharge his batteries" with his assistant Tito Vilanova confirmed as his replacement.

Guardiola admitted he has been pondering his future for some time.

"I would like you to understand that this is not an easy decision for me. But I would like to explain my reasons for this decision," he told a packed press conference at Camp Nou.

"I have always wanted short-term contracts. Four years is an eternity as Barca coach. In the month of October I announced to the president and to the sporting director that I thought my spell was coming to an end.

"The main reason I have taken this decision is because four years is many years.

"I have given everything and I have nothing left and need to recharge my batteries.

"The demands have been great and I have not been able to rest much. I have to recover and the only way I can do that is by distancing myself. Otherwise, we would have ended up damaging each other.

"I know that I'm leaving the best place to work in. I am very satisfied with the result we have achieved. I have had the great privilege of coaching fantastic players. I want to thank them."

Guardiola stepped up from Barca B manager to first-team boss in 2008 and has gone on to become the most successful coach in the club's illustrious history.

He has led the 'Azulgrana' to two Champions League crowns, three La Liga trophies, one Copa del Rey, three Supercopas, two UEFA Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups.

But the setback against Chelsea came just 72 hours after Barca's hopes of retaining its Primera Division crown were dashed after a 2-1 defeat at home to arch rival Real Madrid.

That loss left Barca seven points behind Jose Mourinho's men with four games remaining and also ended its domestic dominance.

Guardiola led Barca to the Primera Division title in his first season in charge after masterminding a squad overhaul which saw the likes of Ronaldinho and Deco shipped out and a greater emphasis placed on youth.

The results were immediate.

Not only did Barca win the league - the highlight being a 6-2 thrashing of Madrid at the Bernabeu - but it also claimed the Copa del Rey and Champions League crowns.

The 2009-2010 campaign kicked off with further success in the Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA World Club Cup as Barca became the first club side to claim six major trophies in one calendar year.

It failed to defend it Champions League crown after being eliminated by Mourinho-led Inter Milan at the semi-final stage but retained the La Liga title with a record points total of 99.

With Madrid hiring Mourinho in a bid to end Barca's run of success, the 2010-2011 season was supposed to pose new challenges for Guardiola.

But the former Spain midfielder, having signed David Villa to replace the ineffectual Zlatan Ibrahimovic, guided Barca to the league title once more and it backed that up by claiming the Champions League crown once more by defeating Manchester United at Wembley.

Cesc Fabregas joined from Arsenal in the summer of 2011 as Guardiola again placed his faith in products of the famed La Masia academy and while the free-flowing football remained, long winning runs were punctuated with surprise defeats.

The Spanish Super Cup and UEFA Super Cup were claimed, as was the FIFA Club World Cup, but La Liga setbacks against the likes of Getafe and Osasuna undermined its title challenge.

Barca has qualified for the final of the Copa del Rey next month in which it will meet Athletic Bilbao in what is set to be Guardiola's final game in charge.

Xavi has been bothered by his left calf muscle all season and could miss the rest of the season due to a tear.

The star could miss Barcelona's last four league games but the Spain international should be available for the May 25 Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao.

He has 14 goals from 47 appearances this season but has played a full match only twice in the past eight games.

Barcelona trails Real Madrid by seven points in the league, and failed to reach the Champions League final.

Reports in Barcelona claimed Barca boss Guardiola had already held a meeting with club president Sandro Rosell, at which he outlined his future plans.

He will convey that message to the players when they reconvene for training ahead of the trip to Rayo Vallecano with the club then expected to reveal his decision.

Guardiola, 41, has operated on short-term deals throughout his time at the Barca helm and his latest deal expires in the northern summer.

But the manner of its defeat to Real Madrid last weekend – a defeat which effectively saw it relinquish its Primera Division title to Jose Mourinho's men – and the midweek exit to Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals may prompt Guardiola to walk away after four trophy-laden years.

Speculation in Catalonia suggested the former Spain and Barca midfielder was giving serious consideration to quitting.

Speaking after the game with Chelsea, Guardiola said: "I will speak with Tito [Vilanova, assistant manager] and see what we have to do.

"Right now, we need to talk more about the emotion of our players and how they recover because there are many players that have been playing a long time.

"We have to go to Rayo Vallecano [this weekend], we are still Barca, we have to continue doing things as we usually do them.

"So we will talk to the president as well and we will talk about everything – the situation what happened in these days and of course we will take a decision because it is time to take a decision now.''

Guardiola stepped up from Barca B manager to first-team boss in 2008 and has gone on to become the most successful coach in the club's illustrious history.

He has led the club to two Champions League crowns, three La Liga trophies, one Copa del Rey, three Supercopas, two UEFA Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups.

Casillas saved two penalties in the semi-final shoot-out against Bayern Munich this morning (AEDT) but it was not enough to prevent the Germans from progressing 3-1 on spot-kicks after an absorbing tie finished 3-3 on aggregate.

It means Madrid's wait for Champions League glory goes on – it last won it in 2002 – but Casillas has urged Jose Mourinho's star-studded squad to bounce back and turn its seven-point lead over Barcelona into silverware.

"It has been a harsh blow and it's hard to get back on our feet after tonight, but we must carry on and focus on what remains of the season," said the Spain international.

"Penalty shoot-outs are like the lottery and we lost due to bad luck. That's all there is to it."

Two early Ronaldo goals seemed to have swung the tie firmly Madrid's way but a 27th-minute Arjen Robben penalty levelled the aggregate scoreline and gave Bayern renewed hope.

Casillas felt the concession of that spot-kick, given for a clumsy challenge from Pepe on Mario Gomez, was key.

"We should have fought harder to keep the 2-0 score, but we can't ask more of the team than it did tonight," he added.

"We played well and had chances to score. Bayern Munich are a good team and we wish to congratulate them and wish them luck."

Defender Sergio Ramos was one of a trio of Madrid players to miss in the shoot-out alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka but he insisted he would put his hand up again next time.

"Penalty shootouts are unpredictable. Those who miss are those who shoot. I don't think any player can be reproached for anything," he said.

"We must move on although it hurts because we were very near to the final.

"It's a real shame to be eliminated in a penalty shoot-out. It is something you never want.

"We must hold our heads up. I wasn't lucky enough to score my penalty, but I was confident and I would try it again tomorrow for the team.

"You feel great pressure, but I've always withstood it well."

Ramos echoed Casillas' call to finish the job in La Liga.

He said: "We would have liked to reach the final, but this will not tarnish the great season the team has had and that we want to seal with the league title.

"I'm proud of the team and of the season we're having."

After winning two of the last three UEFA Champions League titles, defending champion Barcelona was eliminated from the competition after a 2-2 draw with 10-man Chelsea in the second leg of the semi-finals.

While Barcelona's best attributes of possession, quick-touch passing and overall shots were on show, the club failed to score enough goals to reach yet another European Cup final.

And maybe worse, the exit comes only four days after a 2-1 loss to Real Madrid that essentially dropped Barcelona out of contention for the Spanish league title.

With coach Pep Guardiola's future to be determined in the coming days, newspaper La Vanguard summed up the mood in the Catalan capital with the headline 'Funeral at the Camp Nou'.

Most of Spain's sports newspaper rallied around Barcelona's play, with El Mundo Deportivo among those that labelled the result 'unjust', but Chelsea's players were not buying into such an analogy after playing for more than 50 minutes with 10 men after John Terry's red card.

"We came here and we scored goals and in the first leg we scored as well," Chelsea striker Didier Drogba said. "Without being arrogant, we deserved to win."

Barcelona's poor effort capped a miserable week for Lionel Messi, which showed the club thrives or dies off the boot of the Argentina forward.

Messi missed a penalty that would likely have swung the tie in Barcelona's favor and the world player of the year was held scoreless in both legs and against Madrid. Barcelona failed to win in three consecutive games for the first time since 2009, and the only remaining consolation for the team is next month's Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao.

But the domestic cup will provide little consolation to a team that has won 13 trophies under Guardiola.

"I don't even know what I feel right now. I try to figure out what to say when looking at the team, about what we did wrong to not reach the final and I can't think of anything," Guardiola said. "From opening day I've transmitted this crazy theme of 'You have to go out and attack, attack, attack', and there are moments when we don't know when to pause. Maybe it's a lesson to learn for the future. We have to find the way to attack better."

Guardiola certainly missed injured striker David Villa against Chelsea, but he also left Daniel Alves and Pedro Rodriguez on the bench, with Alves replacing Gerard Pique only after the Spain defender left with a concussion midway through the first half. Guardiola has recently preferred young wingers Isaac Cuenca and Cristian Tello over his more experienced players, while the team continues to have a tough time breaking down defences that crowd the area, as Inter Milan did two years ago to also deny Barcelona a spot in the final.

While Barcelona enjoyed 72 percent of the possession, it's 22 overall shots dwarfed the actual number it had on target: five compared to Chelsea's three. Barcelona had 46 shots over two legs with nine on target, while Chelsea advanced 3-2 on aggregate after taking better advantage of its four shots on goal in the entire series.

"That wasn't beautiful football," Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard said after his team stretched its unbeaten run over the Catalan side to seven games to reach its second final since 2008. "Football's not just about the beautiful stuff, it's about doing the other side and we done that."

The Real Madrid midfielder on Wednesday became the first athlete to amass 10 million followers on the social networking site.

"Thank youuuuu. To celebrate I'll make a twitcam" wrote the 30-year-old Kaka, who at the last count had 10,012,862 Twitter followers.

He's nowhere close to Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber - who each have more than 20 million followers - but it's not a bad haul for a player whose career appears to be on the wane after making himself a global icon in a golden six-year spell at AC Milan in Italy.

Kaka describes himself as a 'Christian, husband and father who loves football' and tweets in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Guardiola said he 'will decide if I continue or not' after discussing the situation with assistant Tito Vilanova and president Sandro Rosell.

He said it was the moment to 'take a decision because it's evident that it's time to'.

Guardiola has guided Barcelona to 13 trophies in 16 competitions and has helped the Catalan club in May's Copa del Rey final.

But the team's exit from the Champions League coincides with a loss to Real Madrid that leaves it unlikely to win a fourth straight Spanish league title.

The case centred on the sale of shares in a sports consultancy that managed the image of the Argentine player in 2005, before he shot to the height of his fame and became regarded as the best footballer in the world.

The Supreme Court in the British territory on Tuesday ruled that the agent, Rodolfo Hector Schinocca, fraudulently obtained the signature of the player's mother, Celia Maria Cuccittini de Messi, and that the amount of shares allocated to him increased in circumstances that remained unclear.

"Mr Schinocca was improperly seeking to maximise his share of profits in Lionel's image rights and obtain control of the corporate structure through which these were managed and controlled," judge Anthony Dudley wrote.

"Mrs Messi's signature in the documents identified in the issues was obtained by fraudulent misrepresentation/deception on the part of Mr Schinocca," Dudley wrote, naming her rightful owner of the disputed shares.

The draw means Malaga has taken only eight of 18 possible points in its last six league matches, and it is now only three points clear of fifth-placed Levante as it goes into a difficult run-in that includes fixtures against Valencia, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

It found itself trailing to a host which is chasing UEFA Europa League football itself when Francisco Nino opened the scoring in the 53rd minute.

Santi Cazorla levelled quarter-of-an-hour later but there was no turnaround for Malaga which has now gone three games without a win.

Osasuna, which knew a victory would put it level with Levante, began brightly to keep Malaga firmly on the back foot.

Nino, Francisco Punal and David Timor all had early efforts on goal while Javad Nekounam blasted over.

Malaga had to wait until the 34th minute for its first sight on goal but Cazorla's effort was charged down by Damia Abella.

Moments later, Nacho Monreal struck the post as Malaga's recent luck showed little sign of changing.

It did at least encourage the visitor as it began to pour forward.

Alarcon Isco's shot was blocked by Manuel Lolo, with Sergio Sanchez heading narrowly wide from the resulting corner.

The final chance of the first half belonged to Osasuna though, but Alvaro Cejudo mis-hit his shot from close range and Carlos Kameni made the save.

The Malaga stopper turned another effort from Cejudo around the post early in the second half but was beaten moments later when Nino got up to nod Cejudo's cross into the right-hand side of the goal.

Timor's attempt to add a second moments later went wide, and Malaga began to exert some pressure in search of an equaliser.

Ruud van Nistelrooy headed wide, but Cazorla found the target in the 67th minute with a fine effort from 25 yards out.

Marc Bertran had a chance to restore Osasuna's lead but blazed over, and it was the visitor which finished on top as it sought a morale-boosting win.

Cazorla fired high before Nacho Camacho agonisingly struck the crossbar with an 87th-minute header.

Cazorla had one more chance in stoppage-time but could not find the target from outside the area.

The Catalan side heads into the semi-final, second leg on the back of successive defeats, losing 1-0 to the Blues in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge and then suffering a home defeat to arch-rival Real Madrid last weekend.

Guardiola struck a frustrated figure during a press conference at the Nou Camp, where his selection and tactics were questioned.

The Barca coach took particular exception to a Spanish journalist probing him on his decision to start Cristian Tello against Madrid.

Guardiola responded with a long rant as he defended his selection decisions, saying: "He played a f****** good game. I mean most of the dangerous chances were created by him."

The Spaniard was curt in some answers and rambling in others during a lengthy press conference, which he brought to an abrupt end by walking out.

Guardiola, though, earlier insisted he was not feeling the pressure due to the trust he had in his players to perform.

"I don't know if this is the most important moment of my career as a coach, but I have always faced these challenges with a lot of optimism as I believe in my players and team," he said.

"Whenever you have a defeat, the day after the match you feel a little low but afterwards you get faith in the facts and I am optimistic because I know them well and that we will work hard.

"We try to cover everything that is important so we just try and do that.

"We will analyse the challenge and I think we have had other challenges over the years.

"I cannot really tell you if this is the most important challenge of my life."

Barcelona's chance of overhauling the 1-0 deficit against Chelsea has been boosted by Lionel Messi's fitness.

The reigning world player of the year missed training on Sunday but returned on Monday in an open media session at the Nou Camp.

Gerard Pique also trained and Guardiola batted away talk of a rift with the Spain international, who has been left out of the past two matches.

"Well, Leo had a gastric issue," Guardiola said. "The doctor saw him and he called us before the training session.

"He didn't go to it as he didn't feel well but now he is ok.

"As for Gerard, there is no problem at all. He has had an injury for a long time.

"I have many players and can choose Javier Mascherano and Carles Puyol, who are a good combination in central defence.

"We wanted to have the right players to face [Karim] Benzema, [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Angel] Di Maria and that is why I decided to play with the players I have chosen so far.

"I do appreciate Gerard because of his approach to life and because how he loves football.

"The rest is just my decision, the fact he plays or not."

Barcelona has won three of the two clubs' four two-legged contests in the Champions League knockout phases.

The last time Chelsea came to Barca defending a lead was in 2000, where Guardiola and Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo were on opposing sides as players.

Barca triumphed that time after extra-time and the former is expecting a similarly tough encounter.

"I don't remember so much but I do remember it was a similar game to what we are going to play tomorrow," Guardiola said.

"It was a very physical game, very defensive as they try to defend a good result for them and try to find a way to create the chances.

"When we lose control of the ball, they use the counter-attack because it is one of the big, big points for Chelsea."

The Italy international damaged the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a defeat to Real Madrid last October and earlier this month he aggravated the problem during a training session.

A statement on the Villarreal website confirmed the 25-year-old will have two sets of surgery on the knee which is set to sideline him for up to 10 months. The first operation was performed by Colorado-based Dr Richard Steadman last week, and the next one is scheduled to take place this northern summer.

The statement read: "The first operation successfully took place last Friday, April 20. Once he has recovered from this surgery - in an estimated time period of four months - Steadman will perform the corresponding operation on the anterior cruciate ligament, which usually requires around six months of recovery.

"Villarreal offer all their support and wish the best recovery to Guiseppe Rossi."

The former Manchester United striker's injury means he not only set to miss the end of this season and the first half of the next, but he will also sit out EURO 2012.

Rossi scored 32 goals in 56 appearances in all competitions during the 2010-2011 season, leading to Italy coach Cesare Prandelli stating his desire to have the striker in his squad for EURO 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.

Rossi has scored six goals in 27 appearances for Italy, also captaining the team in its friendly with Romania in November 2010.

The 2-1 loss to Madrid all but ended its Primera Division title challenge, and the players now face the task of making a quick recovery for the return leg of the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea.

Barca will be looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit at the Nou Camp on Tuesday and Xavi believes the prospect of reaching a European final will be enough to get the squad back on their feet.

"We are playing for the chance to make the Champions League final, that says everything," he said on www.fcbarcelona.com.

"The fans are intelligent enough to know that we will be playing for so much on Tuesday and we really want them behind us, as they always have been on the big occasions to help us fight back."

Barca's league challenge may be almost over, but Pep Guardiola's men have already been crowned champions in the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and the pre-season Spanish Supercopa.

With a Copa del Rey final appearance also on the cards next month against Athletic Bilbao, Xavi insists it can be proud of its achievements this season.

"The league title might be lost, but we've got a cup final ahead, we've already won three titles and we can still reach the Champions League final," said the 32-year-old.

"Of the six competitions we were in this season, we still have the chance to come away with five - we are just missing the cup and the Champions League.

"We'll keep fighting, because we know that it's in our own hands to finish with a good season."

Valencia consolidated third spot and gained a confidence boost ahead of this week's UEFA Europa League semi-final, second leg against Atletico with a 4-0 victory over nine-man Real Betis at the Mestalla.

Jonas Oliveira opened the scoring early on and, after Betis had lost Jose Antonio Dorado to a straight red card just before the hour, Valencia wrapped up the victory with goals from Sofiane Feghouli, Roberto Soldado and Pablo Piatti.

To complete a miserable night for Betis, it also had Jorge Molina sent off late on for protesting.

Atletico Madrid, which holds a 4-2 lead over Valencia heading into the European second leg, moved into the top seven with a 3-1 home win over Espanyol.

Didac Vila's 19th-minute equaliser cancelled out Diego Godin's opener for Atletico, but the host took the points thanks to two goals in as many second-half minutes from Arda Turan.

Atletico remains level on 48 points with Athletic Bilbao, which climbed up to sixth with a 1-0 win at rock-bottom Racing Santander, whose relegation now looks almost certain.

Gaizka Toquero got the only goal in the 12th minute to leave Racing 11 points from safety with four games left to go.

To make matters worse for Racing, relegation rival Granada downed Getafe 1-0 to give its own hopes of survival a huge boost.

Franco Jara's 18th-minute goal earned Granada its first win in four games and saw it move eight points clear of third-bottom Sporting Gijon.

Another side battling to stay up, Villarreal, was denied a valuable three points by a brilliant late equaliser from Real Sociedad striker Carlos Vela.

The Yellow Submarine looked set to take the spoils thanks to Marcos Senna's 42nd-minute strike, but host Sociedad snatched a 1-1 draw five minutes from time through a superb overhead kick from Vela.

The draw leaves Villarreal - which finished fourth last season - in 17th spot, six points above the drop zone.

Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed the winner, seconds after Barca substitute Alexis Sanchez had cancelled out Sami Khedira's opener.

The win moved Jose Mourinho's men seven points clear of Barca with just four games remaining as Los Merengues closed in on its first La Liga title since 2008.

"We played as a team," goalkeeper Casillas told www.realmadrid.com

"Cristiano did a fine job but all 11 did well. We played well as a team from the beginning.

"We worked well from start to finish although we suffered when they equalised.

"But we responded and got the win."

The title race appears all but over with Casillas confirming: "Although there are still points at stake and we must be respectful, we have taken a giant step."

Barca boss Pep Guardiola was gracious in defeat and conceded the title was Bernabeu-bound.

"I want to congratulate Madrid for the win and for the league they are going to win," he said in remarks reported by the AS newspaper.

Guardiola appeared to prioritise Tuesday evening's (Wednesday morning AEST) UEFA Champions League semi-final, second leg against Chelsea - it goes into the return 1-0 down - by dropping Cesc Fabregas to the bench and starting with Cristian Tello.

And it backfired with the youngster missing a couple of excellent chances.

"Maybe I was wrong, leaving out Cesc," he said.

"But what I can say is that Tello had a fantastic match in defence and attack. We played with many young players and that is very good news."

The debate over who is better out of Ronaldo or Barca counterpart Lionel Messi has raged for some time now, but unlike the former, the latter has always been able to call on an impeccable record in this fixture.

Here, though, Ronaldo stepped up, scoring a 73rd-minute winner that puts Jose Mourinho's side seven points clear of its old foe at the top of the table with four games remaining.

He struck just two minutes after Alexis Sanchez had bundled in an equaliser to cancel out Sami Khedira's equally scrappy first-half opener - a goal that set a new record for goals in a league season.

It was the Portugal forward's standout contribution on a night when Madrid, humiliated 5-1 on this ground last season, strangled its normally free-passing host.

Messi was barely allowed a kick and his playmaking team-mates - Xavi and Andres Iniesta - were largely stifled by a Madrid side fully aware of the rewards on offer.

Mourinho shaved his head at the start of the week to signal he was ready to 'go to war', but the game never really ignited to such levels.

There were chances - Barca rookie Cristian Tello wasting a number of them - but the gameplan laid out by the Portuguese coach was clearly to drain the life out of the home side.

It worked a treat and, at times, allowed his side to look like the passing team.

It started well, with Ronaldo's fourth-minute header forcing Victor Valdes into a full-stretch save and Karim Benzema cutting in from the right and drilling in an effort that the keeper dealt with.

Madrid was enjoying making full use of the Nou Camp's wide pitch and, when Ronaldo burned past Sergio Busquets on the left, the midfielder hauled him down and picked up the game's first booking.

That was indicative of the early promise Real had shown and, with 17 minutes on the clock, it took the lead with its 108th goal of the campaign.

Mesut Ozil's corner found Pepe at the back post and his header was parried by Valdes but, as Carles Puyol struggled to get his legs free to clear, Khedira wrapped his foot around the loose ball to score from two yards.

Replays suggested the ball may have clipped Pepe's arm as he nodded down, but any decision to rule out the strike would have been harsh.

The goal was met with near silence, much like when Xavi missed a wonderful chance to equalise 10 minutes later.

Messi's slide-rule pass put him clear on Iker Casillas' goal, but he could only hit across and wide, rather than under the keeper as was expected.

Swamped whenever it had the ball, Barca resorted to shooting from distance through Thiago, while at the other end Ozil's pace got him clear, with Javier Mascherano's brilliant block halting his run.

Whether directed at half-time by Mourinho or not, Real returned for the second half with the intention of slowing the game down, with a number of players including Pepe and Fabio Coentrao both requiring treatment for what appeared to be innocuous injuries.

The tactics were frustrating Barcelona, though, who could barely get close to Casillas' goal and, when it did, Tello twice hit wildly over - the second occasion a horrendous spoon that cleared the bar.

But Tello was persistent, and in the 70th minute, he helped Barcelona get level.

The goal had an element of pinball about it, with Casillas denying Tello and Sanchez in quick succession - the second save a wonderful claw-back - before the Chilean eventually bundled in from close range.

But, rather than implode as it has done so often in this fixture over recent years, Real responded with class.

Ozil's ball set Ronaldo racing down the right and past Mascherano, although his 54th goal of the season was made easier by Valdes' decision to race off his line.

Clearly stunned, Barca offered no response of note and it was Real which finished the stronger, with Ronaldo inches away from adding a crowning third in stoppage-time.

Victor Casadesus' first-half header consigned earned Real Mallorca a 1-0 win at home to Real Zaragoza, whose survival hopes were left hanging by a thread.

The defeat left Zaragoza second bottom, five points from safety.

Sporting Gijon moved level on points with Zaragoza with a 2-1 win at home to nine-man Rayo Vallecano.

Gaston Sangoy gave the host a deserved lead after 17 minutes and, although Mikel Labaka equalised six minutes into the second half, substitute Mate Bilic's fine strike 12 minutes from time restored the lead.

The winner arrived moments after Labaka had been sent off for a bad foul on Bilic, with Jose Manuel Casado also receiving his marching orders three minutes from the end for a second bookable offence.

Levante knew a win would put it level on points with fourth-place Malaga ahead of its game on Monday evening (Tuesday morning AEST), while Sevilla could have moved to within three points of the top-four UEFA Champions League berths with victory.

It was not to be for either of them, though.

Sevilla dominated throughout, a surprise in the wake of its 5-1 midweek drubbing by Getafe, but only had the one goal to show for it from Alvaro Negredo.

Arouna Kone levelled before the break and, despite more Sevilla pressure, the home side knew it was not going to be its night when Negredo missed an 87th-minute penalty.

Barca has chipped away at Madrid's lead at the Primera Division summit in the last few weeks and the advantage held by Jose Mourinho's men, which once stood at 10 points, is down to four.

That good work will count for little, however, should Madrid claim just a second victory over Barca under Mourinho.

A draw would arguably be enough for Madrid with just four games to go after this weekend.

"Our mind is set on El Clasico, it is very important for both teams," Xavi told Gol TV.

"If Barca can emerge victorious then we still have options in the league. But in case of a defeat...

"The league depends very much on this game. We will try to claim the win and move to within a point.

"We are very excited to have made a comeback from 10 points to four."

The longer Barca is held by Madrid the more desperate it is likely to become.

But Xavi is convinced that will not prompt Pep Guardiola's side to abandon its fast-flowing passing game.

"We try not to change our philosophy," he said.

"Madrid have played in various ways but we have not changed our style.

"We want the ball, we want to be in charge of the game and have those long spells of possession which help us control a game.

"We cannot change now.

"We have done this against all our opponents, including Madrid, and we will try to play more than ever, have the ball more than ever and go on the attack more than ever to win the match."

Just one of the sub-plots of the game is the tactical battle between Guardiola and Mourinho, who was part of Sir Bobby Robson's coaching staff at Barca in the early 1990s.

And while Xavi steered clear of talking about the Portuguese, he remained steadfast in his admiration for Guardiola.

"I have not had Mourinho as coach, he worked as an assistant (under Robson) and so I do not know how he works," he said.

"I can tell you that Guardiola is a fantastic coach. He is a person who captivates with his presence.

"He has proven himself to be a first-class coach."

Mourinho again skipped the pre-game press conference and handed media duties to assistant Aitor Karanka.

And the former Madrid defender tried to downplay the importance of the latest Clasico clash.

"I believe the three points at stake are important because there are fewer games left in the competition," he said.

"But whatever the score, four games will remain and we'll continue to work as naturally as we've been doing so far.

"Win, draw or lose, this team is doing a very good job this year and we will keep it up.

"Tomorrow's match is as important as all the rest that remain.

"Barcelona are our most immediate opponent and taking points against them is important, but there are five games left in the championship and we will continue fighting to the end.

"The match has every ingredient to be appealing. Two great squads will come face to face and there will be an amazing atmosphere at the stadium.

"I hope everything unfolds normally and that people are satisfied with these ingredients."

Despite the Barca match falling in between the two legs of the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich - Madrid lost the first game in Germany 2-1 on Tuesday - Karanka insisted the players won't be battling fatigue.

"I truly believe the team isn't tired, especially for a match like the one we'll play," he said.

"The entire squad is ready to play and that is very important. It is essential to have them all in full form in the little that remains of the season."

Both clubs have work to do to set up a punters' dream European final in Munich after suffering defeats in the first legs of their semi-finals in midweek.

But thoughts of how Real can overturn a 2-1 deficit against Bayern Munich and of how Barcelona might hit back from 1-0 down in its tie with Chelsea will have to wait.

The two Spanish giants meet at the Nou Camp in La Liga on Saturday evening and the stakes could not be higher.

Real takes on its biggest rival with a four-point lead at the top of the Primera Division table but, having trailed by 10 at one stage, European champion Barca has momentum.

The Catalan side's midfield inspiration Andres Iniesta was frustrated by the loss at Chelsea, where a Didier Drogba goal proved decisive, but is determined to bounce back quickly.

The Spain World Cup winner said: "That is the only thing that leaves a bad taste in the mouth - the failure to score.

"We generated enough chances to have won the game.

"But we can't feel sorry for ourselves - what we have to do now is think about the games that lie ahead."

Victory for Real would put it in sight of the finish line with games against Sevilla, Athletic Bilbao, Granada and Mallorca to come.

But another inspired display from Pep Guardiola's side, which has won its last 11 games, would set up a tense finale.

Real defender Sergio Ramos is determined not to be affected by the last-gasp loss to Bayern at the Allianz Arena.

He said: "Football carries on, the league is still going and we'll look ahead to the next match, but we also need to rest as we have worked very hard."

Elsewhere in La Liga, Valencia will look to recover from a 4-0 hammering by Espanyol to retain its slender advantage in the race for third spot.

Los Che - one of three Spanish clubs also involved in the Europa League semi-finals this week - leads fourth-placed Malaga by a point ahead of a visit from Real Betis.

Malaga travels to sixth-placed Osasuna while Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao return to domestic matters from European competition to face Espanyol and bottom side Racing Santander respectively.

Sporting Gijon, eight points from safety, hosts Rayo Vallecano while the other side in the relegation zone, Real Zaragoza, travels to Mallorca.

European hopeful Levante faces a difficult trip to Sevilla while Real Sociedad hosts Villarreal and Granada takes on Getafe.

Both Barcelona and Madrid have reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, and could meet in the final on 19 May in Munich. Spanish league rivals Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Athletic Bilbao are in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals.

But the reality of their finances - much like the rest of the struggling country's economy - do not look as promising as their chances to win more European titles.

According to recent government assessments, clubs in the top two divisions owe 752 million euros ($952.12 million) in unpaid taxes - a spike of 150 million euros ($189.9 million) over the past four years. The top division alone holds a combined debt of 3.53 billion euros ($4.47 billion) through the 2010-2011 season, with six of the teams in bankruptcy protection with payments due by 30 June.

"Everything that is happening is based on the real economy," University of Barcelona economics and finance professor Jose Maria Gay told The Associated Press. "Spanish football is authentically marvellous right now, you have to tip your hat to it.

"But the trees are shielding us from the very real state of the forest. Many clubs are living dangerously."

Spanish football's economic worries mirror the state's problems, with the country's flagging economy heading into another recession and in danger of following Greece, Portugal and Ireland in need of a bailout.

Real Madrid, which leads the Spanish league by four points, has debts of 589 million euros ($745.66 million), while Barcelona's stands at 578 million ($731.66 million) euros and Atletico's is 514 million euros ($650.65 million). Valencia has sold star players like David Villa, David Silva and Juan Mata to drop its own debt to 382 million euros ($483.55 million).

Those numbers eclipse the record revenue of 479 million euros ($606.29 million) taken in by Madrid in 2010-2011 or the 450 million euros ($569.58 million) accumulated by Barcelona.

Spanish sports secretary Miguel Cardenal said clubs would get no special treatment when it came to paying the back taxes, but acknowledged it was 'impossible' to expect full payment by June. So far, the sports ministry plans to have a solution 'within a reasonable period of time'.

"Considering the context of the situation our country is facing, it's unreasonable to start introducing dysfunctional steps into the championship that could affect it's image, which has a commercial value," Cardenal wrote in an email to The Associated Press.

The government cannot demand payment without crippling clubs and leaving supporters very upset, according to Gay. And no government wants to take such blame at a time when Spanish football has provided a healthy distraction to the tough austerity measures being introduced by a new government enduring record unemployment figures of 23 percent.

"Football on the weekends and three days during the week helps to conceals reality of the problem," said Gay, who served on the board of Barcelona-based football club Espanyol for nearly two seasons. "In the end, everyone is concentrated on Madrid and Barca, who are the kings of the banquet while the rest live a real uncertain future."

League spokesman Juan Carlos Santamaria said discussions with the sports ministry were constructive and agreements were being made on how to resolve the debt situation, but did not provide details on the accords except to say 'clearly changes need to be made'. Santamaria said a commission created to monitor club's spending and accounts will help.

"Clubs will control their accounts and their costs so the debts don't rise because they know that tough measures await," said Santamaria, mentioning fines, point deductions and relegation as the potential penalties.

But none of those will come into effect for another three years, when UEFA's financial fair play system takes effect.

Under the UEFA plan, clubs must break even on football-related income and spending, and will be permitted losses of $6.6 million ($8.7 million) in the first two years, or up to $60 million ($79 million) if a wealthy owner makes a one-off payment to clear debts. Madrid and Barcelona will not be afforded such a luxury because the teams are owned by their club members.

If this principle of 'live within your means' is not followed, clubs can be excluded from the Champions League and Europa League.

Gay, who believes Valencia, Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna are the only clubs outside the top two who are certain to survive, laughed when asked if Spanish clubs were en route to meeting this criteria.

"A rescue plan needs to be put into place for football. You have to help them and supervise them, and levy rigorous controls. That's not being done right now," Gay said.

While rigorous checks still need to be implemented, nearly all discussions involving the Spanish league's problems point toward one theme: TV money.

That continues to divide the top two clubs and the rest with Valencia presenting the best example. Valencia's TV revenues of 42 million euros ($53.16 million) are less than the 45 million euros ($56.96 million) earned by Premier League club Wigan Athletic, which has been battling relegation since it rose to the top division in 2005.

Spain touts itself as the world's best league on the back of Messi and Ronaldo, Barcelona and Madrid, but its TV licensing doesn't reflect that as it pulls in just half of the 1.27 billion euros ($1.61 billion) of the Premier League, and two-thirds of what Italy's Serie A makes at 915 million euros ($1.16 billion).

"We have to adapt to the new reality, that the crisis is affecting everybody in life, including now in football," Mallorca President Jaume Cladera said.

Taking into account income, profitability and debt levels, the English champion remains ahead of Spanish rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona despite exiting the UEFA Champions League early this season.

United, which has so far fought off big-spending rival Manchester City to remain on course to defend its Premier League title, is mulling a partial flotation on Singapore's stock exchange.

The Red Devils remain the most valuable team in any sport, more than both Major League Baseball’s New York Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.

Spanish leader Madrid remains second in the rankings after its valuation rose by 29 percent to US$1.88 billion ($1.82 billion) and Barcelona climbed to third after its value leapt by 34 percent to US$1.3 billion ($1.26 billion).

Arsenal and Bayern Munich make up the top five and are also valued at more than US$1 billion ($965 million).]]> English Premier League Europe http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/spain-primera-division/news/1102106/Man-United-world-s-most-valuable http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/spain-primera-division/news/1102106/Man-United-world-s-most-valuable Thu, 19 Apr 2012 06:45:01 +1000 Pep Guardiola has dismissed as 'fantasy' the idea he is considering quitting Barcelona for Chelsea.

Guardiola is said to be Blues owner Roman Abramovich's number one target to succeed Andre Villas-Boas as manager, with reports suggesting he could be offered a £10 million ($15.32 million)-a-year contract.

But the 41-year-old gave short shrift to questions about whether he would swap the Nou Camp for Stamford Bridge, claiming Chelsea already had a 'very, very good manager' in caretaker Roberto Di Matteo.

Guardiola, who has still to sign a new contract at Barca to replace the one that expires this northern summer, said: "It is fantasy, it's hypothetical.

"I am coach of Barcelona now and they have a good manager who is getting unbelievable results.

"It's not useful for Chelsea or for Barcelona to talk about that. There is no time to talk about that."

Guardiola has been asked countless times this season whether he will stay on at Barca and it was no different here.

He replied: "I just want to focus on the game. This is a dream come true, to be here ahead of this great game.

"I just want to make sure my players are focused on the game and can enjoy playing matches like that."

That game is Wednesday evening's (Thursday morning AEST) UEFA Champions League semi-final, first leg at Stamford Bridge, the latest instalment in a Chelsea-Barca rivalry that has become a saga.

The build-up has been dominated by talk of revenge, with the Blues still smarting from the sides' last meeting in 2009.

That saw Chelsea denied several penalties before Andres Iniesta's stoppage-time away goal saw Barcelona triumph.

Guardiola said: "A long time has passed. I don't think they are playing for revenge.

"What you have lost, is lost. We will both be playing to try to reach the final in Munich."

Barca emerged from that triumph to establish itself as one of the greatest - if not the greatest - club side ever to play the game.

Guardiola, who recalled his euphoric celebrations that night, said: "That was our first year together.

"We had that kind of love story you have in the first year.

"We were united, and we scored that goal right at the end. The rest is history."

While Barca has gone on to conquer the world since 2009, Chelsea has endured a turbulent three years that brought it its first ever double but more Champions League misery.

It looked certain to suffer the same fate this season before Andre Villas-Boas' sacking just over six weeks ago but it is a side reborn under Roberto Di Matteo.

Di Matteo has had a near-identical impact to Guus Hiddink three years ago and Guardiola said: "They have the same spirit, the same soul, the same foundation.

"They've changed the manager and a couple of players, but the same players are largely there.

"I do admire that generation of players, who have done so well over the last seven years and have got into so many semi-finals and finals, and competed in the Premier League so well."

Despite the Chelsea revival, it has been written off in many quarters against Guardiola's all-conquering side.

But the Barca boss said: "I'm struggling to see how we'll hurt them, create chances and score.

"We shouldn't forget they've been very consistent here in this stadium, winning all five of their (Champions League) games."

He added: "We're the holders at the moment, so everyone wants to beat us and play well against us."

Barca's success has been tarnished somewhat by accusations of diving and claims it gets the benefit of the doubt from referees - as in 2009.

Guardiola dismissed this, saying of its philosophy: "They take the ball, pass the ball, take the ball, pass the ball. Diving is for the swimming pool."

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has been its biggest critic and would love nothing more than for his former side to beat the club that has become his nemesis.

Asked whether his 'friend' Mourinho may try to help Chelsea, Guardiola said: "Thank you for calling him 'my friend'.

"I don't know if the players have an extra motivation for that reason.

"I think they'll play to get a good result ahead of the second game and to get to Munich."

The side from the suburbs of Madrid moves up to 11th place in the table to join a group of five teams on 45 points - Espanyol, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao - all bidding for European football next season.

Sevilla was off the mark first with Alvaro Negredo opening the scoring after 19 minutes, but Miguel Torres got Getafe back on level terms after 35 minutes.

The host added a second through midfielder Medhi Lacsen four minutes after the break with Sevilla losing all hope in a six-minute spell which saw Pedro Rios score (68) in between Miku's double (63, 71).

The 46-year-old Cervera was admitted to hospital on Friday evening as a precaution after feeling unwell during a training session and he missed Sunday's 1-1 draw at Villarreal.

However, the news about Cervera appears to be good, with Racing saying in a statement on Monday: "The Racing coach Alvaro Cervera has undergone a coronary scan this morning with the result being normal, ruling out existing coronary disease.

"As such the coach will, probably, be discharged tomorrow."

Former Spain international Cervera became Racing's third coach of the season when he took charge last month but he has been unable to turn around the team's poor form, with Sunday's draw leaving them bottom of the Primera Division standings on 26 points, 10 adrift of 17th-placed Granada and safety.

The Cantabrian side are at home to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

The home side, desperate for some good news after losing star striker Giuseppe Rossi for another six months this week due to a recurrence of a knee injury, appeared to be heading for all the points after Hernan Perez put it in front early in the second half.

But in the fourth minute of injury-time Acosta headed home to secure a dramatic draw for the visitor.

Real Betis took another step to ensuring it will be playing Primera Division football next season as Ruben Castro's goal was enough to hand it a 1-0 win over Osasuna.

Castro's fine strike from just outside the area 10 minutes before half-time was a rare moment of quality in an otherwise uninspiring first half.

And any hopes of an Osasuna comeback after the break were dealt a blow on the hour mark when top-scorer Raul Garcia was given an extremely harsh red card for a foul on Jefferson Montero on the halfway line.

Tomislav Dujmovic scored the only goal in the sixth minute as Real Zaragoza secured a potentially priceless victory over Granada to move to within five points of safety.

Zaragoza finished the match with 10 men after Ruben Micael's stoppage-time dismissal, but it came too late for Granada to take advantage.

Radamel Falcao capitalised on some crazy goalkeeping to earn Atletico Madrid a 1-0 victory at neighbour Rayo Vallecano.

The Colombian was left with an easy finish in the 64th minute after Rayo goalkeeper David Cobeno had come way out of his box in an unlikely attempt to get to the ball ahead of his opponent.

The win reignited the visitor's European hopes after a run of three defeats in four, leaving it ninth, but just one point behind sixth-placed Osasuna

Espanyol recorded its first victory in six games in some style as two goals in either half saw it trounce Valencia 4-0 at Cornella-El Prat, Cristian Gomez (26), Joan Verdu (30), Alvaro Vasquez (58) and Kalu Uche (79) the men on the scoresheet.

Athletic Bilbao warmed up for its UEFA Europa League semi-final in midweek with a 1-0 win over Real Mallorca thanks to Fernando Llorente's 28th goal of the season.

Claudio Bravo pulled off a string of wonderful saves to salvage a point for 10-man Real Sociedad against UEFA Champions League candidate Malaga at La Rosaleda.

Malaga went in front after 19 minutes as Isco's shot from outside the area took the slightest of deflections off Ion Ansotegi and left Bravo with no chance.

The host seemed set to move back into third place in the Primera Division when Mikel Gonzalez was dismissed for a second bookable offence just before half-time, but Sociedad was level three minutes after the break as Xabi Prieto's shot from distance found the bottom-left corner of the net.

Madrid scored twice in the final 15 minutes as it came from behind to beat Sporting Gijon 3-1.

The visitor went into a shock lead after half-an-hour when Miguel de Las Cuevas scored from the penalty spot after Sergio Ramos had ended a wonderful run by Oscar Trejo by handling inside the area.

Gonzalo Higuain levelled seven minutes later with a free header and Cristiano Ronaldo finally made all Real's pressure count 15 minutes from full-time when he powered home Angel di Maria's cross to score a record-breaking 41st goal of the campaign.

Roberto Canella was then sent off for the visitor for a second bookable offence and the host wrapped up all three points when Mesut Ozil's exquisite throughball was slotted home by Karim Benzema.

Barcelona was also forced to work hard before Lionel Messi's second-half double earned it a 2-1 victory at Levante.

Click here for highlights of Levante v Barcelona

Jose Barkero gave Levante the lead with a 23rd-minute penalty and Barca appeared to be making heavy weather of getting back on terms.

But Messi burst into life with two goals in nine minutes, the second a spot-kick of his own that pulled him level with Ronaldo on 41 league goals for the season, to turn the game around.

The win means Barca remains well in touch with the leader ahead of the second Clasico encounter of the season at the Nou Camp next weekend.

Mauricio Pellegrini's big-spending side led through a goal from former Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla at El Madrigal, but Villarreal rallied in the final quarter and was handed a route back into the game when Carlos Kameni up-ended Hernan Perez in the box with seven minutes remaining. The goalkeeper was sent off and Marcos Senna duly tucked away the penalty.

Perez capped a remarkable comeback for the Yellow Submarine four minutes into stoppage-time as he slammed the ball home from outside the box to give Villarreal a vital three points in the battle to avoid relegation from La Liga.

It ended the evening seven points above the drop zone as both bottom side Racing Santander and second-bottom Real Zaragoza lost.

Sevilla moved up to seventh with a 3-0 win which leaves Zaragoza seven adrift of safety.

Federico Fazio headed the first after 10 minutes and Spain forward Alvaro Negredo took his Primera Division goals tally to 10 with efforts in the 29th and 44th minutes.

Racing Santander is 10 behind 17th-placed Villarreal after a 3-0 home loss to Mallorca.

The visitor got off to a dream start as Victor Casadesus' pass split the Racing defence wide open and Emilio Nsue ran through to round Dani Sostres and roll the ball home.

Christian Stuani should have equalised when he struck the post midway through the first half but Mallorca wrapped up the points within eight minutes of the break as Chori Castro doubled the advantage from another Victor assist before Alejandro Alfaro bundled in a third after Nsue had hit the crossbar.

Villa is not expected to return before May after fracturing his left shin in December.

Spain's defence begins on 10 June against Italy.

The 30-year-old Villa says his injury 'is better every day, we're meeting all the deadlines in the recovery process'.

Villa could still help Barcelona's chase for a fourth straight league title.

He is Spain's all-time leading scorer but national team coach Vicente del Bosque hasn't said which strikers he will pick, with Fernando Torres displaying inconsistent form this season.

"I played with Maradona for seven years and he was magnificent," Ardiles said at a press conference. "I thought I would never see another player like that but I have to say Messi is better."

Ardiles said he was confident Messi can help Argentina win a World Cup before his career is over.

"Messi hasn't had the results with the national team yet but I am sure that will come," Ardiles said. "There is a natural evolution and players today are just getting better. Messi is by far the best."

Maradona captained Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup and was captain of the team that reached the final in 1990. Messi played for Argentina at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups where the team lost in the quarter-finals.

The 59-year-old Ardiles, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1978 before playing and coaching English club Tottenham Hotspur, was hired in January to coach newly-promoted Japanese second division club Machida Zelvia.

Zelvia currently is 17th in the 22-team J2 standings with two wins and five losses after seven games but Ardiles said he is taking a long-term approach with the young team.

"I'm not too worried about the standings," Ardiles said. "Things are getting better little by little and our goal is to get into the top division and win the J-League championship."

He also managed Newcastle United, West Bromwich Albion and club teams in Mexico, Croatia, Spain and Paraguay.

Ardiles coached the J-League's Shimizu S-Pulse from 1996 to 1998 and was named Manager of the Year in 1998. He became coach of Yokohama F Marinos in January 2000, but was let go in June 2001 after a poor start to the season.

From 2003 to 2005 he coached Tokyo Verdy, where he helped the team win the 2004 Emperor's Cup. But in July 2005 he was fired after a nine game winless streak.

Japanese football has come a long way since he first coached there, but Ardiles says much work remains.

"There is no doubt it is better but Japanese football has hit a ceiling," Ardiles said. "They need to change the culture here to take it to the next level where you could compete against the elite teams."

Yesterday's 4-1 win at rivals Atletico helped it restore its four-point lead at the top over reigning champions Barcelona, with the April 21 meeting between the two looming large and seemingly gaining added significance with every passing day.

Madrid faces a home meeting with Sporting Gijon before that, though, but know that should Ronaldo pick up a yellow card, he would miss "El Clasico" through suspension.

His hat-trick last night took him to 40 league goals for the season – he has 51 in total – and Madrid can ill afford to lose him for what could be a title decider.

"The team is in good form, confident and ready for its next game," Ronaldo told www.realmadrid.com.

"I've been one booking short of a suspension for two months, but I'm behaving myself."

Last night's clash with Atletico was viewed as a major hurdle for Jose Mourinho's men but, thanks to Ronaldo, it was cleared with some ease.

"We were a little tense because Barcelona won on Tuesday and we were forced to win, so mission accomplished. We have to win our remaining games to increase our chances of winning the title," he added.

While Madrid's clash with Gijon appears to be a home banker, Barca is faced with a tougher-looking assignment away at Levante.

The Valencia club is fifth and still in the hunt for a Champions League spot and Barcelona's players have been left in no doubt as to how important their remaining fixtures are.

Manager Pep Guardiola has ordered them to treat every domestic fixture as though it were a cup final, and winger Pedro told his club's official website: "We are playing very well as a team and we are really on a roll.

"We've just taken each game at a time, focussing on ourselves and knowing we couldn`t slip up. We have to be concentrated on the match and nothing else, that's what Guardiola told us.

"Right now every one of the six games left will be like a final. But it's going to be very hard to overtake them."

Espanyol take on third place Valencia hoping to get their European hopes back on track.

They were beaten 2-0 by Osasuna on Tuesday and are currently eighth in the table, some four points off the pace.

For goalkeeper Kiki Casilla, though, the chance is still alive.

"I hope that in the end we can be the best," he told his club's official website.

"It [Osasuna] was a shame because it was a good opportunity to reduce the distance with the rest of the teams."

Malaga, in action tonight against Villarreal, could make a serious move to make third place and a Champions League spot by getting the better of Real Sociedad.

Bottom club Racing Santander, also playing tonight, heads to Villarreal – the Yellow Submarine could move itself clear of relegation danger with a win – while Real Zaragoza could suck Granada into a dogfight by getting the better of it at La Romareda.

Osasuna harbour top-six hopes – it currently occupies the final spot – and take it to Real Betis, as does Athletic Bilbao, at home to Mallorca.

Osasuna is on 46 points, four clear of the Basque club, while Athletico Madrid is on the same tally and faces Rayo Vallecano.

Two more sides fighting for a Europa League spot in a congested mid-region are also in action, with Getafe meeting Sevilla.

It, too, is on 42 points, although Sevilla could steal a march by beating Zaragoza.

The heat was on Real heading into its trip to the Vicente Calderon after seeing its 10-point lead over nearest challengers Barcelona whittled down to just one over the past few weeks.

However, Jose Mourinho's men responded in style as they put aside the dropped points against Malaga, Villarreal and Valencia in their last five games with a thumping 4-1 victory.

Ronaldo led the way with three of his side's goals – two stunning long-range strikes and a penalty – before setting up substitute Jose Callejon to net Real's fourth late on. Radamel Falcao had scored a 55th-minute equaliser for Atletico, but Ronaldo ensured the Rojiblancos' hunt for a first win over Real in over 12 years continued.

Karanka, who took the post-match press conference in place of Mourinho, led the plaudits for the world's most expensive player, although he was quick to point out it was no one-man show.

"Cristiano had a spectacular game, but everybody has contributed," he said.

"The entire team's performance was spectacular and when the game became tougher after the equaliser, and the crowd pressurised most, everyone pulled through, not just Cristiano."

Ronaldo's team-mates also heaped praise on the former Manchester United man, with Callejon saying: "For me Cristiano is the best player in the world, he does things that nobody else can."

Defender Sergio Ramos added on his club's website: "He's the best player in the world. We are lucky to be able to train with him every day and to have him with us."

Ronaldo's hat-trick was his seventh of the season and took his record in all competitions this campaign to 52. The treble also took his league tally to 40, equalling the mark that won him the European Golden Shoe last season and with six games still left this term.

Ronaldo insists he is not thinking about individual achievements, though, and has his sights set on helping Madrid win its first Primera Division title since 2008.

To that end, Ronaldo believes the April 21 showdown with Barca at the Nou Camp could prove decisive.

He was quoted as saying by Marca: "I'm not looking for records, but titles for Real Madrid.

"We still cannot think that we have won the league, but if we win at the Nou Camp we will be very close. Losing does not exist in my vocabulary."

He added about last night's victory on his club's website: "We were a little tense because Barcelona won [on Tuesday] and we were forced to win, so mission accomplished. The team is in good form, confident and ready for its next game."

Real and Barca are through to the elite Champions League semi-finals, and three Spanish clubs are into the UEFA Europa League last four, but a survey of the accounts of the country's top clubs reveals a tale of crippling debts and tax arrears.

Real Madrid leads Barcelona by four points at the top of La Liga but the two global superstars also rival each other in the depth of their debts.

Real has accumulated 589 million euros ($745.53 million) in debts and Barcelona owes 578 million euros ($731.6 million).

The arch-rivals' debts eclipse their revenues, which for 2010-2011 amounted to 479 million euros ($606.29 million) for Real Madrid and 450 million euros ($569.63 million) for Barcelona.

Europa League semi-finalists Valencia and Atletico Madrid are also both awash with red ink, to the tune of 382 and 514 million euros ($483.55 and $650.55 million) respectively.

But the latest figure to hit the headlines in Spain is the 752 million euros ($951.53 million) that Spain's elite clubs owe to the tax man at a time when more than five million are unemployed and the government is asking citizens for more sacrifices.

Spain's sports ministry has announced a plan to ensure that football pays for its own debts. But for the moment it is unclear how they will do so.

Six of the 20 Liga clubs - Rayo Vallecano, Racing Santander, Real Betis, Zaragoza, Granada and Mallorca - are currently in bankruptcy proceedings, as are another six second-division teams.

"That figure alone shows that Spanish football is not well managed financially," said Barcelona University Professor of Economics Jose Maria Gay de Liebana, who specialises in football.

The analyst compared Spanish football's debts, which he estimated at 3.5 billion euros ($4.43 billion) in total, to the frenzy of the country's property market bubble, which imploded in 2008.

"Football is a mirror of the general economy in Spain. For years we have been spending beyond our means, getting deeper and deeper into debt," he explained.

"For football it's the same: for years clubs have made colossal and inefficient investments. And as they did not have their own funds to finance these expenses, they went massively into debt."

A good example of the race to invest, no matter the cost, is Valencia's 'New Mestalla' stadium.

In 2007, in the midst of the property boom, Valencia decided to buy a new 70,000-seat stadium - even though the club only has 39,000 members.

The 300 million euro ($379.8 million) construction cost was supposed to be financed by the sale of the land from its old stadium for about 400 million euros ($506.39 million).

Two years later, engulfed by the property market crisis, construction stopped when the club realised it could not find buyers for the old stadium property.

One other factor may have contributed to the accumulation of debts - a lack of financial control by Spanish institutions.

Some blame a lax attitude by the Spanish football league, others the league's inability to impose tough sporting sanctions.

Until recently the Spanish professional football league did not have the power to relegate a club in bankruptcy.

Some teams even used the bankruptcy law to their advantage, enjoying legal protection from their creditors while continuing to play football at the highest level.

"I think the new law that came into force in January 2012, which now authorises the authorities to relegate a club in bankruptcy, will change things a lot," said sports lawyer Juan de Dios Crespo.

It is unclear, however, if the authorities would risk the public backlash of taking on a football club.

In the 1990s when the footballing authorities threatened to relegate Celta Vigo and Sevilla because of problems with their registration paperwork, they were forced to backpedal after huge pressure from fans.

There has been no official statement from Barcelona on the operation, at the request of Abidal's family, but Rosell gave a brief update on the situation.

"Both Abidal and his cousin (Gerard, who donated the liver) are progressing well," Rosell was quoted as saying on his club's official website. "We cannot give any more information due to the express wishes of the family."

The 32-year-old Frenchman's transplant operation finished late on Tuesday night, at a similar time to the conclusion of Barca's Primera Division match with Getafe at the Nou Camp.

During the 4-0 win the Barca fans paid their own tribute to Abidal, and coach Pep Guardiola and his players did likewise after the final whistle.

Midfielder Sergio Busquets also wished Abidal well at a press conference.

When asked about news on the former Lyon, Lille and Monaco player, Busquets said: "He's out of the operation and the coming hours are very important. In two or three days we'll see how things are going. From here I want to send him all the best, as everybody has been doing."

Barca announced last month that Abidal needed to undergo a liver transplant - almost exactly a year after the defender had surgery to remove a liver tumour.

After that operation in March 2011 Abidal was out for just seven weeks, returning to the team for the end-of-season run-in with a number of substitute appearances, although his only start was in the UEFA Champions League final victory over Manchester United when he was given the honour of lifting the trophy.

The Portuguese's swerving 30-yard free-kick that gave the visitor the lead on 25 minutes was a rare moment of quality in a disjointed first half.

Things livened up after the break when Radamel Falcao headed in from Adrian Lopez's cross, but Real responded positively and after wasting a host of opportunities it retook the lead when Ronaldo dipped another stunning effort over Thibaut Courtois 22 minutes from time.

The former Manchester United man then rounded off his hat-trick with a penalty on 82 minutes and Jose Maria Callejon added a fourth five minutes later.

Valencia moved back into third place, and an automatic UEFA Champions League berth, with a 4-1 win of its own over Rayo Vallecano at the Mestalla.

Jonas fired Valencia ahead of 40 minutes before it moved up a gear after the interval, Jordi Alba doubling the advantage midway through the second half.

Diego Costa pulled one back almost straight away, but a Jonas penalty and further strike from Pablo Hernandez made the points safe.

Sporting Gijon gave its survival hopes a welcome lift as a late goal from Gaston Sangoy saw it come from behind to see off Champions League-chasing Levante 3-2.

Valdo scored one and set up another for Arouna Kone as the Valencia club twice went in front, but it was pegged back by goals from Oscar Trejo and Alberto Lora.

And Sangoy struck six minutes from time to see Sporting end a run of five league matches without a win.

Jaime Romero scored and was then sent off as 10-man Granada was denied a vital win as it drew 2-2 with Athletic Bilbao.

Romero grabbed a second-minute opener before he was dismissed shortly before the break for violent conduct.

Despite being a man down, Alexandre Geijo doubled the home side's lead in the second half before Fernando Llorente pulled one back for Athletic nine minutes before the end.

Markel Susaeta then levelled the scores for the visitor in the 89th minute.

The 26-year-old Netherlands international underwent surgery on 3 October after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during training on 22 September.

A Barca statement read: "Ibrahim Afellay received the news that he's been eagerly awaiting for most of the season this Wednesday afternoon.

"The club's medical services gave the Dutchman medical clearance to play after being injured for six months and 21 days. The player is back in Josep Guardiola's team ahead of the most decisive stretch of the season."

The player stepped up his recovery on 18 March by leaving his individual rehabilitation plan and resuming training with his Barca team-mates.

Afellay, who joined Barca from PSV Eindhoven in January 2011, had only just got back into Pep Guardiola's line-up when he picked up the injury, after missing the start of the Primera Division season due to a hamstring injury.

He will be back in contention for the run-in, with the Catalan club battling for trophies on three fronts.

It is hot on the heels of La Liga leader Real Madrid, set to face Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals later this month and looking forward to a Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao in May.

A brace from Alexis Sanchez and further goals from Lionel Messi and Pedro Rodriguez saw Barca thrash Getafe 4-0 at the Nou Camp to put further pressure on stuttering Madrid, who face local rival Atletico on Wednesday evening.

During Tuesday night's win at the Nou Camp the Barca fans paid their own tribute to Frenchman Abidal, who was undergoing his transplant operation having last year had liver surgery to remove a tumour, and coach Pep Guardiola and his players did likewise after the final whistle.

Guardiola said in his post-match press conference: "We want to dedicate this win to Abidal. It's a special day because we knew that today he underwent his operation.

"We've been told that Abidal's operation has finished, which has been long and we need to be patient. Throughout the week we will know more. The next few days will be key to see how things are going. We have a lot of faith in someone as strong as him."

Midfielder Andres Iniesta was among numerous Barca players who echoed the thoughts of their coach, adding: "I'm happy to dedicate this win to Abi. This is for you!"

The victory was Barca's 10th successive league win as it continues to push Jose Mourinho's Madrid side, who not so long ago boasted a 10-point lead over the defending champion, hard for the title.

Pedro said: "It's true that it seemed unthinkable that we could cut the distance to Madrid like that, but we've done it and hopefully we can continue like that."

Goalkeeper Victor Valdes added on his club's website: "We're in the final stretch of the Liga and we have to grit our teeth, there's not much left to go. We're one point away, we'll see what Madrid do (against Atletico). The work that needed to get done today, is finished.

"It was a great match from the team and now we're only a point behind the leaders."

Alexis Sanchez scored twice with further goals from Lionel Messi and Pedro as Pepe Guardiola's side took advantage of its title rival's surprise home draw with Valencia on the weekend.

Sanchez opened the scoring in the 13th minute after a throughball by Messi, and the Argentinian made it on the scoresheet just before half-time. Sanchez's second in the 73rd minute was followed by Pedro's strike one minute later.

Two Raul Garcia goals helped Osasuna consolidate sixth place with a 2-0 home win over fast-fading Espanyol, which ended the match with nine men.

Garcia opened the scoring in the 53rd minute and one minute later Espanyol's Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho was sent off. Garcia added his second on 69, before Juan Forlin was also red carded eight minutes from time.

Real Sociedad nudged further clear of the relegation zone after a 1-1 home draw with Real Betis. On-loan striker Carlos Vela put the host ahead in the 56th minute before Ruben Castro's equaliser 20 minutes from time.

"I confirm that the operation was scheduled for today but I don't know whether it has started," the Barcelona spokesman told AFP.

"We have not received any information to the contrary. We are in the hands of the doctors, waiting to see what they will say."

Barcelona announced on 15 March that the 32-year-old defender would have a liver transplant 'in the coming weeks', nearly a year after the player had a tumour removed from the same organ.

The club did not give any indication of how long he would be out of action but the operation puts him in doubt for France in the 8 June-1 July EURO 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine.

The director of Spain's National Transplant Organisation, Rafael Matesanz, has said it would be 'very difficult' for Abidal to play again after undergoing a transplant.

"It's clear that everything should go well and that he could play sport at a high level but football is a contact sport and one of the things that you have to avoid after a transplant is trauma and blows in that area," he told sports daily Marca last month.

"He has to take a series of precautions for the rest of his life, including not getting hit in that area. He will have medical treatment for life and will have to have regular check-ups."

Abidal made a rapid recovery after undergoing surgery to remove a tumour from his liver in March 2011 and drew loud cheers as he made a symbolic return on 3 May in the final minutes of Barca's return 1-1 UEFA Champions League semi-final tie with Real Madrid.

The defender has been a regular this season for the Catalan side, starting in 20 first division matches.

But he has not played since picking up a hip injury playing for France in its friendly win over Germany at the start of March.

Abidal's contract had been due to expire at the end of the current season but in January he agreed a new one-year deal with Barcelona which ties him to the club until 2013 with options to extend it by two more years.

With seven games remaining and a trip to the Barcelona later this month, Madrid can't afford any more slip-ups after a 10-point gap over its rivals has been reduced to four in less than a month.

In that period Madrid has won just two out of five, drawing three matches, while its rival has been victorious in its last nine league outings.

Barcelona came from behind to beat Zaragoza 4-1, while Madrid was ineffective in attack as it drew 0-0 at home to Valencia.

Barcelona's midfielder Thiago Alcantara was quick to send out a message to Madrid after the hard fought victory.

"Madrid will have to sweat blood to win this league," he said, as the two sides move closer to their April 21 showdown.

The European champion's opponents Getafe, who sits 10th and only one point from a UEFA Europa League place, was the first of only two teams to defeat the side this season.

Barcelona's defeat in November has only been followed by a 3-2 loss at Osasuna in February, with the side scoring a club record 161 goals in 54 matches in all competitions.

The Catalans will be without Cesc Fabregas, after he picked up his fifth yellow card against Zaragoza, while Gerard Pique and Dani Alves are both in doubt through injury.

Atletico Madrid will look to do Barcelona a favour in "Madrileno" derby.

Real Madrid stretched its unbeaten streak against Atletico to 22 matches in November with a 4-1 home victory and Atletico has not managed to beat its rival this century. Athletico's last win came in 1999.

However, Atletico's Brazilian full-back Filipe Luis insisted his team can get something out of the contest.

"We have to respect them because they are leaders and one of the best Real Madrid teams in history but we'll be in front of our own crowd and we'll go all out for the win. We all dream about putting an end to this run of not beating Madrid," he said.

The arrival of new coach Diego Simeone in the Christmas break has improved an Atletico side that finds itself in the Europa League semi-finals and still battling for European qualification next season in seventh position.

Although Atletico lost 2-0 to direct rivals Levante on the weekend, Luis believes there is still enough games to finish in a European place.

"While there is still hope I am one of those that believe we can make it, we can't get into the Champions League until we reach a Europa League place," he said.

"We have to win games and keep getting points so we're taking it game by game to achieve that objective."

Atletico has to do without Salvio, Mario Suarez and Joao Miranda, who are all suspended after picking up cards.

Meanwhile leading scorer Radamel Falcao will have to recover from the virus that kept him on the bench for most of the visit to Levante.

Real captain Iker Casillas is clear that Atletico will pose another tough challenge to his side's title aspirations.

"It's a crucial game, they still have to fight for a European place and they have not beaten us for so long but it's always a difficult place to go. All games are finals from now on. We just have to look to take the 3 points," he said.

In the fight for the two remaining places that offer qualification to the UEFA Champions League, Valencia entertains Rayo Vallecano, as city rival Levante goes to Gijon, while Malaga visits Villarreal.

Racing was a man down from the second minute after Francisco Perez received a red card for pulling down Jose Rondon with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Goalkeeper Mario Fernandez saved the penalty attempt by Santi Cazorla but the host side dominated the rest of the match.

Francisco Alarcon curled in Malaga's 22nd-minute opener, while Cazorla added another in the 64th minute and Ruud Van Nistelrooy sealed the win in the 84th minute.

Malaga leaped over Valencia to reach third place for the first time in 21 rounds.

After 13 games without a win, Racing is seven points from safety with seven rounds to play.

The El Classico clash, which will take place between the two legs of the Champions League semi-finals, has been moved from Sunday to Saturday.

Barcelona travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in the first leg of its last-four meeting three days earlier on Wednesday April 18, with the return fixture on Tuesday April 24.

Madrid face Bayern in the other semi-final on April 17 and 25.

A statement on Madrid's website read: "Real Madrid will face Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Saturday, April 21 at 2000 in the 35th round of the season."

Madrid was held to a goalless draw by Valencia at the Bernabeu to leave itself just four points clear of Barcelona at the top.

Jose Mourinho's side has now dropped six points in its last five games, while it still has to face Barca at the Nou Camp later this month.

But Casillas feels the players have to put Sunday night's disappointment behind them and focus on the Madrid derby against Atletico.

"We had more chances than Valencia, but they also had several and we could have dropped more points," he said on the club's website.

"Mentality is very important. The lead we had has been reduced, but we shouldn't cry about it. We have a large lead, but it isn't definitive and we must continue focusing on one game at a time.

"We must focus on winning against Atletico Madrid. This moves very quickly and we play many games in few days. We have to go on.

"The derby will be a difficult match and we expect Atletico to be motivated, especially after its defeat against Levante and because they haven't defeated us in a very long time.

"They've reached the Europa League semi-finals and they have to continue winning in order to stay at the top of their game.

"Every match is vital and they'll all be like finals, so we'll think about Bayern Munich (in the Champions League semi-finals), Sporting (Gijon) and Barcelona after facing Atletico, who are the ones that matter to us right now.

"We want to take the three points we failed to take last night. Real Madrid can lose the league title because we haven't won it yet mathematically and there is a team close behind that also have a lot at stake.

"We cannot live just on the fact that our lead used to be 10 and eight points strong."

Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka claimed his side was looking forward to getting its title push back on track on Wednesday.

"Our players gave it all in 95 minutes and had many chances to score throughout the match," Karanka said.

"The crowd was there for us and the only thing we said in the dressing room after the game was that we must now focus on our next match.

"The squad wants to play the next game. The players are looking forward to winning and continue working hard. The only thing left to do when wearing this shirt and crest is to keep fighting.

"The squad is united and looking forward to it. We have chances to win the title and we want to play to the end."

After back-to-back draws against Malaga and Villarreal last month saw arch-rival Barcelona eat into Madrid's once-dominant lead at the summit, this draw saw a further two points conceded after Barca defeated Real Zaragoza the previous day.

Barcelona is now just four points behind Madrid with seven games remaining, including El Clasico at the Nou Camp later this month.

Cristiano Ronaldo struck the woodwork for the host while Valencia goalkeeper Vicente Guaita made fine saves from Angel Di Maria and Karim Benzema to keep the scoreline blank.

Levante moved back into the top four after goals in the first 10 minutes from Valdo and Arouna Kone were enough to hand it a 2-0 victory over Atletico Madrid.

The game was barely 60 seconds old when Valdo stole in to head home Jose Barkero's pinpoint cross. Barkero was the creator again nine minutes later when his free-kick was powered home by Kone.

Atletico's miserable day was complete when Miranda was sent off for a second yellow card seven minutes from time.

Athletic Bilbao recorded its first league win in six as Fernando Llorente's second-half header sealed a 1-0 victory over Sevilla.

The Spain international struck the bar when presented with an open goal in the first half but made amends when he bulleted home Markel Susaeta's cross two minutes into the second half.

Real Mallorca and Granada moved a point further clear of the relegation zone after a forgettable goalless draw at the Iberostar.

Michael Pereira came closest to breaking the deadlock for Mallorca when his second-half volley clipped the crossbar.

The Catalan side had to come from behind to beat 10-man Real Zaragoza 4-1, with Lionel Messi scoring twice to reach the 60-goal mark for the season.

Carles Puyol and Pedro Rodriguez were also on target for Barca, which now sits within a victory of leader Real.

Madrid would restore a six-point advantage with a win over Valencia on Monday (AEST) but Fabregas retains hope Barca can catch its rival.

"They're still favourites to win it," he said on www.fcbarcelona.com.

"We weren't expecting to be three points behind Real Madrid at this point in the competition, but there's a lot of Liga still left to be played.

"It was a difficult match (against Zaragoza), the conditions weren't optimal, but the team played with a lot of character - we deserved the victory.

"The conditions were difficult: the pitch, the wind and because we played against a rival that complicated the game. They're playing for everything.

"It was a very hard-fought match. Despite it all, it's a shame to play on a pitch like this, on such a dry field where the ball is so painfully slow.

"We had a lot of chances that we weren't able to capitalise on."

Coach Pep Guardiola was also relieved to get past a Zaragoza side battling to escape the bottom three.

"We knew how difficult this game was going to be," he said.

"This past month Zaragoza have shown that they have a lot of intensity and fortitude.

"It was extremely difficult and complicated. I'm very proud of our victory."

Pep Guardiola's side had to come from behind though against a struggling Zaragoza side which finished the game with 10 men and with coach Manolo Jimenez sent to the stands.

Carlos Aranda, who had already missed a penalty, put it ahead but Lionel Messi and Carles Puyol took less than 10 minutes to turn the game around.

Abraham Fernandez was dismissed late in the first half and Jimenez early in the second before an 86th-minute penalty yielded Messi's 60th goal of the season and Pedro Rodriguez added a fourth.

Madrid can restore its six-point lead when it hosts third-placed Valencia on Sunday evening (Monday morning AEST).

Real Betis took an important step towards survival with an emphatic 3-1 home win over relegation rival Villarreal.

Quickfire goals from Roque Santa Cruz and Ruben Castro at the end of the first half set Betis on its way before Benat made the points safe on the hour.

Villarreal's miserable night got worse when Angel Lopez was harshly given a second caution for handball on 66 minutes as it remained four points above the drop zone.

It got got some consolation in injury-time when Marco Ruben tucked away a penalty after home goalkeeper Agosto Fabricio brought down the Argentinian.

Michu scored twice as Rayo Vallecano all-but sealed its safety with a stunning 6-0 win over Osasuna.

Jose Maria Movilla got the host off to the perfect start as he volleyed home on five minutes before Michu headed in his first from Tito's cross.

Michu tapped home his 15th goal of the season 11 minutes later after a fine run and cross by Diego Costa and the Brazilian himself curled in a wonderful fourth before half-time.

Osasuna coach Jose Luis Mendilibar attempted to stem the tide with three substitutions at the break but the goals continue to come for Rayo as Emiliano Armenteros rounded off a fine team move and Tito completed the rout with an easy finish 11 minutes from time.

Goals from Miku (22) and Diego Castro (47) pushed Sporting Gijon ever closer to the Segunda Division as Getafe won 2-0 at the Alfonso Perez stadium.

Espanyol and Real Sociedad fought out an entertaining 2-2 draw which did neither side's ambitions any real favours.

The home side needed a win to boost its flagging UEFA Champions League aspirations, while Sociedad was looking for three points to end any fears of being dragged into the relegation battle.

But both sides had to settle for a point after Espanyol recovered from 2-0 down, with all four goals coming in rapid bursts of action.

Carlos Vela scored in the 12th and 15th minutes to put the visitor in command, but an own goal from Vadim Demidov on the stroke of half-time and an equaliser from Vladimir Weiss just three minutes into the second half ensured the spoils were shared.

Madrid set up a meeting with Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the European competition by beating APOEL Nicosia 5-2 in the second leg of its last-eight tie, completing an 8-2 aggregate triumph.

A first Champions League final in 10 years - and one against Spanish rival Barcelona, which faces Chelsea in the last four - could be beckoning, but Jose Mourinho's men also have a domestic title challenge to worry about.

Currently top of the table, six points ahead of Barca with eight games to play, Madrid could find its lead cut to three points by the time it hosts third-placed Valencia on Sunday evening (Monday morning AEST), with the Catalan side playing struggler Real Zaragoza a day earlier.

The gap between the top two has narrowed of late, but Kaka is determined to keep Barca at arms length and told www.realmadrid.com: "We must only think about our game against Valencia now.

"That's our most important match right now because we have a six-point lead over Barcelona in the league and we want to keep it that way."

Kaka may want thoughts of the Champions League to be put to one side for now, but he was delighted to score a spectacular goal against APOEL.

The 29-year-old rates it as one of his finest strikes and feels he is still improving as a player.

"It was one of my most beautiful goals," Kaka said.

"I am growing increasingly confident in my game and touch on the ball.

"The most important thing to me is that I'm not sustaining injuries and that I manage to pull off good efforts to help the team; all that makes me very happy.

"I am gradually growing as a player and I'm improving at the most crucial moment of the season."

Kaka and Madrid will be hoping that Zaragoza can keep up its recent run of form when it welcomes Barca to La Romareda.

The Aragonese side, currently 18th, has won its last three games and is now four points from safety.

Rock-bottom Sporting Gijon, which Zaragoza defeated 2-1 last weekend, is three points worse off and faces a trip to Getafe on Saturday afternoon (Sunday morning AEST), while 19th-placed Racing Santander - level on points with Sporting - is at high-flying Malaga on Monday evening (Tuesday morning AEST).

Villarreal, hovering just outside the relegation zone, travels to Real Betis, Osasuna makes the trip to Rayo Vallecano and Espanyol plays Real Sociedad at home.

Levante faces Atletico Madrid, Real Mallorca takes on Granada and Athletic Bilbao is up against Sevilla.

The Italy international is part-owned by Juventus and has been strongly linked with a move away from Parma this northern summer.

"I know that Barcelona has followed Giovinco for some time," Giovinco's agent Antonio D'Amico told Sportal.it

"That a club like Barcelona shows an interest in him gives us great pleasure.

"Giovinco is an important player, he is talented, technically gifted and it's normal that clubs are interested in him."

Giovinco has scored 10 goals in 28 league appearances for Parma this season.

"He is doing really well and he will play at EURO 2012," D'Amico said.

"As (Italy coach Cesare) Prandelli has stated, he is one of the most talented players in Italy and the European Championship will give him an opportunity to showcase his talent."

The Basque midfielder played for Madrid from 1949 to 1962 and also won six La Liga titles, one Spanish Cup and one Intercontinental Cup.

Zarraga played alongside such greats as Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas, and won eight international caps for Spain.

A statement from the European and Spanish champion on Tuesday read that it received the news in a letter issued by Catalunya's Superior Court.

Eto'o had also been demanding an undisclosed amount of interest from the move.

Barcelona paid Inter 66 million euros ($84.75 million) for striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a deal that included Eto'o going the other way.

The Cameroon striker was one of Barcelona's most successful players, scoring 152 goals and helping the club to two UEFA Champions League and three Spanish league titles.

Eto'o moved from Inter to Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala last year.

Mourinho was angered by reports linking Madrid with a move for Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, with Gonzalo Higuain going the other way.

Mourinho, speaking at a press conference ahead of the side's UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against APOEL Nicosia, said: "You (the press) want to destabilise the squad."

"Last week I had signed for (Manchester) City, (Iker) Casillas was going to Schalke, Higuain to Malaga..."

On the Higuain-Aguero story, he added: "The front cover of (newspaper) AS is false."

"If you want me to comment on false front covers then forget it."

The club's director of institutional relations Emilio Butragueno also dismissed the suggestion of selling Higuain.

"Rumours seem to be inevitable," he told the club's official website. "But we are delighted with Higuain."

"He's scored 24 goals in 20 league games and just remember I was the league's top scorer with 19."

"He is a world-class striker and we intend for him to stay here many years. He arrived here very young and we regard him as a club player."

"He has always behaved impeccably, whether he plays or not."

Navas netted the third and final goal of a 3-1 win in the 68th minute after earlier second-half strikes from Alvaro Negredo and Manu, before Tomer Hemed snatched a late consolation for the visitor.

The visitor, which is still not safe from relegation, started well and pressed through the set-plays of Gonzalo Castro, before Sevilla came close to opening the scoring in the 14th minute.

Navas lashed a right-footed shot from six mettres which was superbly tipped around the post by Mallorca keeper Dudu Aouate, before Ivan Ramis booted clear from the resulting corner.

Aouate was on top form again three minutes later to tip a close-range Manu effort round the post and he denied Jose Antonio Reyes in the 27th minute with another fingertip save.

With the host team dominant, Navas, Piotr Trochowski and Andujar Coke all shot wide before Sevilla keeper Andres Palop was called into action for the first time just before the break when he saved from Fernando Tissone.

Sevilla finally broke the deadlock in the 51st minute when Negredo headed home a Reyes corner and it doubled the lead 10 minutes later when Navas fed Manu from the right and the striker fired low past Aouate.

The home team was home and dry in the 68th minute when Manu turned provider to set up Navas to steer home from close range. And, despite Hemed's 74th-minute strike - he found the top corner from Pablo Caceres' cross - Sevilla eased home for a win which took it up to eighth place in the table.

Jonas Goncalves rounded off a fine team move to give the host the lead 10 minutes before half-time, but Levante was level eight minutes after the break as Valdo headed Jose Barkero's cross into the path of Kone who rifled home his 11th league goal of the season.

The point was enough to keep Valencia in third, and the final automatic UEFA Champions League place, with fifth-placed Levante three points behind.

Diego scored on his first start for seven weeks as Atletico Madrid cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Getafe.

Eduardo Salvio put the host in front midway through the first half with a brilliantly looped header before Diego made it two just after the hour-mark.

His initial header off the bar rebounded kindly for him to tap home at the second attempt before prolific striker Radamel Falcao wrapped up the win 13 minutes from time.

The victory moved Atletico a point behind the UEFA Europa League places.

Real Sociedad eased its relegation worries with a thumping 4-0 win over Rayo Vallecano.

Imanol Agirretxe (six) and David Zurutuza (31) sent it on its way before Antoine Griezmann (51) and Carlos Vela (53) struck early in the second half to make the game safe.

Sociedad is now eight points clear of the drop zone.

Villarreal barely helped its relegation fight though as it battled out a forgettable goalless draw against European hopeful Espanyol at El Madrigal.

The draw left Villarreal four points above the bottom three while Espanyol has a two-point gap to bridge behind the Europa League places.

Madrid brought up 100 league goals for the season in its 30th match after thumping sixth-placed Osasuna 5-1 at the Reyna de Navarra stadium.

Cristiano Ronaldo took his own tally to 37 for the league campaign with a brace, while Gonzalo Higuain also netted twice after Karim Benzema had given Jose Mourinho's title-chaser a seventh-minute lead.

Osasuna, which saw coach Jose Luis Mendilibar sent to the stands early on and substitute Roland Lamah sent off late on, pulled a goal back through Nino just after half-time but it was already 3-0 down at the time.

Ronaldo's goals lifted him two clear of Barcelona's Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring charts, but the Argentina superstar reduced it back to one when he scored from the spot as his side beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0.

Andres Iniesta opened the scoring as Barca rarely had to leave second gear.

Malaga's bid for a UEFA Champions League spot suffered a blow as it slumped to a 2-0 home defeat to Andalusian rival Real Betis.

Ruben Castro and Jose Dorado netted the goals in the final five minutes of the first half as Malaga, which could have moved three points clear in third place with a victory, suffered a rare defeat after winning five and drawing the other of its previous six matches.

At the other end of the table, Real Zaragoza continued its impressive charge to escape relegation as it picked up its third successive victory and fourth in six matches - it only has seven all season - with a 2-1 win at Sporting Gijon.

After a nervy opening, Helder Postiga gave the visitor the lead but Sebastian Eguren equalised for Sporting three minutes into the second half.

However, Zaragoza would go onto claim the points thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Angel Lafita.

Guilherme Siqueira's 89th-minute penalty was enough to secure Granada a deserved 1-0 win over second-bottom Racing Santander.