Joining them in the last four were Getafe and Deportivo Coruna.
Kei Nishikori was crowned Barcelona Open champion for the second consecutive year after a hard-fought 6-4, 6-4 victory over surprise Spanish finalist Pablo Andujar on Sunday.
David Villa is an important member of the Barcelona squad, his club and international team mate Andres Iniesta said on Thursday amid speculation the Spain striker could move in the January transfer window.
Barcelona's hopes of staging another sensational Champions League comeback fell flat against a hardened Juventus side who held the Catalans to a 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp on Wednesday to reach the semi-finals 3-0 on aggregate.
'We have to improve and become stronger in defence, which is the most important thing.'
Barcelona have completed their business in the latest transfer window and the Spanish and European champions' squad is now "closed", president Josep Bartomeu said on Thursday.
Lionel Messi became the first player to win 10 La Liga crowns with Barcelona and only the third player from any club to do so.
World number two Rafael Nadal dropped a set at the Barcelona Open for the first time in four years before advancing to the last 16, beating Argentine Leonardo Mayer 6-7(7), 6-4, 6-2 on Wednesday.
Manchester City and Barcelona could easily have met in this season's Champions League final, Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said on Monday when he described City as one of the "best teams in the world".
A lacklustre Barcelona squandered the chance to go top of La Liga after crashing to a shock 1-0 home defeat by Malaga on Saturday.
Barcelona were held to a 1-1 draw at relegation-fighting Las Palmas on Thursday in an unexpected setback that left them with a five-point lead in La Liga ahead of their top-of-the-table showdown with Atletico Madrid this weekend.
A summary of the concluding day's action in the German Cup, French Cup and La Liga.
Regarded as one of the best centre backs of his generation, Pique collected 35 trophies during his 18-year career.
Barcelona will put Manchester City to the sword if they commit the same kind of errors as they did in their Champions League encounter last month, coach Luis Enrique said.
PSG's Champions League tie with Newcastle is like a final, says Luis Enrique
A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Saturday
Women's IM Mounika Akshaya and WGM Srija Seshadri were away for an evening walk and IM CRG Krishna was sleeping inside the room while burglars entered the apartment.
Holders Barcelona host Liverpool in the Champions League knockout on Wednesday.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric came off the bench to net a stunning strike from the edge of the box late in the second half to secure a 1-0 home win over Sevilla on Sunday and stretch their lead at the top of La Liga to eight points.
Champions Barcelona reclaimed top spot in La Liga on Sunday by overcoming a dogged Villarreal side to win 2-0 at home with goals from stalwart defender Gerard Pique and youngster Carles Alena taking them above Sevilla.
Barcelona moved ever closer towards a successful defence of their La Liga title after nearest challengers Atletico Madrid suffered a shock late collapse at struggling Sporting Gijon to lose 2-1 on Saturday.
In a low-key ceremony, Barcelona and Spain's star mid-fielder, Xavi Hernandez married his girlfriend of one-and-a-half years, Nuria Cunillera, on Saturday.
Barcelona have been charged by a Spanish court with committing tax fraud in the signing of Brazil forward Neymar last year, a court spokesman said on Thursday.
Barcelona suffered a first home defeat of the season when they lost 3-2 against Valencia after finishing with 10 men in La Liga on Saturday, leaving the door open for Madrid rivals Atletico and Real to move above them.
IMAGES from Day 4 of the French Open played at Roland Garros on Wednesday
Spectators chanted "refund" after Messi stayed on the bench during the match.
Earlier, Messi's World Cup-winning team mate Emiliano Martinez won the Lev Yashin award for the world's best goalkeeper.
Barcelona abandoned their hopes of signing Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool after the Merseyside club demanded 200 million euros ($237.14 million) for the Brazil attacking midfielder, the Liga side's director Albert Soler said.
La Liga champions Barcelona slumped to a shock 2-1 defeat at struggling Leganes and Real Madrid were resoundingly beaten 3-0 by Sevilla on Wednesday as Spain's two biggest clubs lost on the same day for the first time since January, 2015.
If Aubameyang's transfer to Chelsea goes through, he would return to the English top flight after seven months, having played for Chelsea's London rivals Arsenal for four years.
Ronaldo admitted that both of them changed the history of football and urged his fans to not hate on Messi.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Barcelona on Tuesday refused to allow forward Ronaldinho to take his place in the Brazil squad for next month's Olympic Games.
Re-signed by Atletico, the Frenchman to stay at the club till 2026.
Man Utd sign Mount from Chelsea on five-year deal
Substitute Sergio Araujo struck a late equaliser as Las Palmas held Real Madrid to a 2-2 draw and left them with a one-point lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga on Saturday.
Valverde said he was concerned about the team's away form after they were comprehensively beaten 2-0 by promoted Granada
A lethal finish from Luis Suarez gave Barcelona a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in a typically frantic 'Clasico' on Sunday as they stretched their lead over their rivals at the top of La Liga to four points.
As Barca prepare for a trip to Madrid to play Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, they are still reeling from Tuesday's 3-2 Champions League reverse at Paris St Germain, when their defence was badly exposed by the Ligue 1 title holders.
