Robert Lewandowski and substitute Pablo Torre each scored twice to help leaders Barcelona thrash visitors Sevilla 5-1 in LaLiga on Sunday in a confidence boost for Hansi Flick's side ahead of key clashes against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
However, a Serie A recommendation that similar cuts be made at all top flight clubs has been rejected by the players' union which argues that those at smaller clubs are less able to afford reductions.
IMAGES from Europa League matches played on Thursday.
IMAGES from the Europa League matches played on Thursday
Brescia left Mario Balotelli on the bench after coach Fabio Grosso said the maverick striker had not put in enough effort in training during the week.
A summary of Saturday's action in LaLiga, Bundesliga and Serie A.
Over 51 medical workers have died in Italy due to the coronavirus pandemic, while many more have died in Iran, China, Indonesia and other countries, the club said.
Argentina host Chile at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires on September 5 before facing Colombia five days later in Barranquilla.
Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani scored twice each as Manchester United took a giant step towards the Europa League final with a 6-2 drubbing of AS Roma in their semi-final first leg at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Two goals from Luis Diaz and one from Mohamed Salah helped Liverpool stroll to a 3-0 victory at Manchester United.
Here is a round-up of results from the European League matches played on Friday.
Andriy Shevchenko scoring both goals in an impressive 2-1 victory in the Serie A league.
Manchester City's spending of more than 180 million pounds ($223.58 million) was the second-biggest outlay ever worldwide by a club in the January transfer window.
UEFA fined AS Roma and warned their forward Adem Ljajic on Wednesday following incidents during last week's Europa League last-32 game against Feyenoord.
Forward Rasmus Hojlund scored twice to allow Manchester United to come back from a goal down and get a 2-1 win at six-times Czech champions Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on Thursday.
All the action from La Liga and Serie A matches played on Sunday.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football fie
"If they don't get VAR in the Champions League, it is an absolute joke."
News of all that's transpired on and off the football fie
Barcelona capitalised on two disastrous own goals by A S Roma to thrash the Italian side 4-1 at the Nou Camp on Wednesday and take a huge step towards reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in three years.
AS Roma won the Italian Cup on a 7-4 aggregate victory despite a 2-1 defeat in the second leg final at holders Inter Milan.
A Christian Panucci goal gave 10-man AS Roma a 2-1 home win over strugglers Empoli on Saturday, cutting Inter Milan's lead in Serie A to four points before the champions take on Juventus.
The 40-year-old former Italy forward confirmed the end of his playing career after a remarkable 25 years at his only professional team.
AS Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman's two-match ban for simulation during his team's 2-0 win over local rivals Lazio on Sunday has been overturned, the Italian FA said on Friday.
Which films are *you* rooting for?
AS Roma supporters may be looking ahead to Barcelona's Champions League visit with some trepidation and coach Rudi Garcia certainly does not seem to be bursting with optimism.
Images from Sunday's action in La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1.
Italian sports daily Corriere dello Sport has been condemned by anti-racism group Fare for using the headline "Black Friday" along with a picture of players Chris Smalling and Romelu Lukaku to preview Friday's match between Inter Milan and AS Roma.
Ukraine football federation president Hryhoriy Surkis said he expected Dynamo Kiev to be awarded the match.
Liverpool reached the Champions League final after riding their luck to contain a fired-up AS Roma in a 4-2 defeat at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday that sent them through 7-6 on aggregate.
AS Roma's Italy international forward could leave unless the squad is strengthened by some big-name signings.
Liverpool draw Sparta Prague in Europa League last 16
Fiorentina tore apart Italian rivals AS Roma to reach the Europa League quarter-finals with a 3-0 win that left their opponents' season in tatters and under-fire coach Rudi Garcia tottering on the brink of the sack.
Roma didn't expect that Salah and Liverpool would stand between them and a place in the Champions League final.
AS Roma slipped up in their pursuit of Serie A leaders Juventus as they salvaged a 1-1 draw at mid-table Palermo on Saturday thanks to a second-half Mattia Destro equaliser.
Inter Milan again wasted the chance to retain their Serie A title when they were held 2-2 at home by Siena on Sunday with Marco Materazzi having a penalty saved.
AS Roma thrashed Parma 4-0 at home to cut Inter Milan's lead in the Italian Serie A to six points.
AS Roma's all-time appearance record holder and top scorer Francesco Totti is to call time on his 24-year career with the club and retire from soccer at the end of this season, the club's new sporting director Monchi said on Wednesday.
John Terry came to Chelsea's rescue on Wednesday when he powered home a 77th-minute header to secure a 1-0 home win over a dogged AS Roma.
The other semi-final will see an Italian side, Milan or Roma, come up against Bayer Leverkusen or West Ham.
