Pedro got Barcelona off to a good start in their Champions League semi-final at Inter with an important away goal, but the long road journey to Milan took its toll in the end as Guardiola's side lost 3-1. A couple of days later Atlético got the edge over Liverpool in their Europa League semi-final, Diego Forlán the man to give his side hope of a first European final in 24 years.

Same as usual at the weekend, with Ibrahimovic on the scoresheet as Barcelona beat Xerez 3-1 in the Saturday opener (albeit that Bermejo's reply for the visitors was the best of the game), and "blast from the past" Raúl netting for Real Madrid in a 1-2 victory at Zaragoza a couple of hours later. Barça move on to 87 points, the same total they racked up all last season to win the championship by a mile. This year though Madrid are still only a point behind them with four games still to go.

Later in the evening David Villa converted a penalty against Deportivo for his first goal in four matches, and the following day Nilmar got the winner at Racing to keep Villarreal on track for a European spot. Two from Luis Fabiano and another from Kanouté were not enough to even save a point for Sevilla however in a 4-3 defeat at Getafe.

Atlético Madrid took time off from their busy cup schedule to beat Tenerife 3-1, Salvio scoring two on his first start before Agüero wrapped things up, and Mallorca saved a point against ten man Málaga thanks to a controversial last minute goal from Aduríz, the match ending with the extraordinary sight of the striker trading punches with his team mate Keita after accusing him of not passing the ball when he was free in front of goal! Now, now, girls, put those handbags away! . (27.04.10)