Barcelona returned to winning ways and extended their Spanish Primera Liga lead with a 2-0 home victory over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday while Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by city rivals Atletico at the Bernabeu. The win opened up a six-point gap over chasing Real, whose 10-match winning streak came to an end.
Favourites Barcelona recovered their poise to grab a valuable 1-1 draw at Olympique Lyon on Tuesday but holders Manchester United were frustrated on their Champions League return in a 0-0 draw at Inter Milan.
Thierry Henry scored a hat-trick to steer Barcelona to a 4-1 win at bottom club Levante in the Primera Liga on Saturday.
Barcelona, who are struggling for goals, host Olympique Lyon in Wednesday's Champions League opener in Group E.
The two clubs will meet for the fourth time in five seasons in the first knockout phase of the Champions League
France midfielder Florent Malouda said former team mate Didier Drogba used his influence to persuade Chelsea to buy him.
Midfielder Edmilson has not played for Brazil since he suffered right knee ligament damage playing for Barcelona and underwent surgery a year ago.
The Champions League burst into life on Tuesday with 36 goals in eight matches, including 24 in just three games, to equal a competition record.
But France coach Jacques Santini singled out Thierry Henry as the new team boss.
Injured David Beckham and Ronaldo have been left out of the Real Madrid squad for the match against Lyon.
A clearer picture of the likely qualifiers for the knockout phase of the Champions League should emerge as the group stage reaches its halfway point this week.
Arsenal, Olympique Lyon and Villarreal try to venture into the unknown this week when the second legs of the Champions League quarter-finals take place.
Barcelona are in intimidating form going into Tuesday's Champions League clash with VfB Stuttgart and the Germans are fearing the worst.
Ronaldo has been left out of the Real Madrid squad to play Real Sociedad on Sunday after failing to make a full recovery from an ankle injury.
A round-up of Wednesday's Champions League first knockout round, first leg ties.
Holders Barcelona suffered a stunning 2-1 home defeat by Russia's Rubin Kazan while Liverpool lost by the same score to Olympique Lyon at Anfield on a night of high drama and late goals in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Manchester United will be out for revenge against Benfica on Tuesday in their Champions League match.
Midfielder Mahamadou Diarra scored his first goal for Real Madrid to earn a dour 1-0 win at Real Betis.
Manchester City left back Oleksandr Zinchenko set aside some time on his wedding day to clarify comments he and his new bride Vlada Sedan made about manager Pep Guardiola in the wake of the club's Champions League defeat by Olympique Lyon.
AC Milan sneaked through to the semi-finals, beating Olympique Lyon 3-1 in the other second leg quarter-final with two late goals. Inter were eliminated on the 'away goals' rule.
Champions Liverpool were sent crashing out by Benfica.
Thierry Henry scored with a brilliant individual effort to give the English side a 1-0 victory in the first leg last 16 knock-out round.
The Portuguese champions snatched the winner when the Brazilian met a Petit free-kick after 84 minutes.
Andriy Shevchenko struck with a penalty to give AC Milan a valuable 1-1 draw in the Champions League last 16 first leg match against Bayern Munich.
A round-up of weekend action in the main European leagues.
The first legs of the quarter-finals will be played on March 23-24.\n\n
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
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