Real Madrid thrashed Deportivo La Coruna 6-2 to stay level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga on Wednesday after the Catalans crushed Osasuna 7-1, condemning the minnows to relegation.

Gareth Bale could miss the rest of Real Madrid's season after suffering the latest in a series of calf injuries since he joined the Spanish giants four years ago.

Zinedine Zidane criticised his Real Madrid players after their dramatic Clasico defeat to Barcelona, insisting they should have been smarter in the closing stages of their loss.

Luis Enrique, who can't call on the suspended Neymar Jr nor the injured Rafinha, Aleix Vidal and Mathieu, has left out Masip and included Aleñá in his match day squad for the game against Real Madrid.

Neymar looks set to travel with the Barcelona squad for Sunday's El Clasico against Real Madrid as the Catalans continue to fight his suspension for the potentially title-deciding clash.

Cristiano Ronaldo has made a habit of defying his critics and will try to do so again by leading Real Madrid one step closer to the Spanish title on Sunday against bitter rivals Barcelona.

Lionel Messi requires two more goals to reach 500 for Barcelona and will have his sights set on achieving the milestone against great rivals Real Madrid in Sunday's Clasico.

"Unbeatable" Juventus can finally hand goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon an elusive Champions League title after making five-time winners Barcelona "cry" in the quarter-finals.

Juventus's outstanding display to knock Barcelona out of the Champions League will have the rest of Europe running scared of the Old Lady, defender Leonardo Bonucci said on Wednesday.

Diminutive, dynamic and armed with a deadly left foot, Paulo Dybala could be a prototype of a Lionel Messi clone.

Neymar is keeping the faith, confident Barcelona can complete another remarkable comeback to reach the Champions League semi-finals at the expense of Juventus.

Japanese media hailed wonderkid Takefusa Kubo on Sunday after he became the youngest scorer in the J-League at 15 with a strike for FC Tokyo's under-23 side.

Four hundred and ninety eight and counting. Lionel Messi closed in on 500 goals for Barcelona with two against Real Sociedad on Saturday night and they turned out to be very important.

Juventus are optimistic that forward Paulo Dybala will recover from injury in time to face Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday after he was forced out of Saturday's game with Pescara.

Lionel Messi kept Barcelona's title hopes alive with two goals and an assist to see off Real Sociedad 3-2 as Spain's top two edged five-goal thrillers ahead of next weekend's El Clasico.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has confirmed that Gareth Bale was withdrawn from the 2-1 win at Bayern Munich due to an injury concern.

Argentina forward Paulo Dybala scores a delightful first-half double to eclipse illustrious compatriot Lionel Messi as Juventus record a stunning 3-0 win over Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal.

Barcelona's Brazilian superstar Neymar will miss a huge La Liga clash at Real Madrid on April 23 after being handed a three-game suspension, the Spanish federation said on Tuesday.

Atletico Madrid have grown accustomed to slaying Europe's giants in the Champions League under Diego Simeone, but ending Leicester City's run may prove even tougher than ousting Barcelona or Bayern Munich, according to Filipe Luis.

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri believes that defending is just as much as an art form as attacking and advises anyone who wants to watch a show to go to the circus.