Barcelona and Real Madrid lead the race for the Champions League as the knockout stages approach

Europe's premier club competition returns this month and the bookmakers seem convinced that Real Madrid and Barcelona are still the teams to beat

Ballack ruled out of Barcelona clash

Bayer Leverkusen will be without the midfielder in Tuesday's Champions League round of 16 first-leg clash at the BayArena, after the former Germany international sustained a calf injury

'We have to keep going'

After suffering a 3-2 defeat against Osasuna on Saturday night, Barcelona face the prospect of ending the weekend 10 points behind Real Madrid, but Guardiola will not give the title up

Barcelona's title bid in tatters

After losing 3-2 to Osasuna, Guardiola's men remain seven points behind Real Madrid and could find themselves 10 points adrift if their Clasico rivals pick up a victory on Sunday

Barca hopeful Pep will sign new deal

Club director Zubizarreta believes head coach Guardiola, whose contract expires in June, will extend his stay with the Catalans and says he is not looking at any potential replacements

'Barca are stronger now than four years ago'

Gerard Pique has dismissed the notion that Pep Guardiola is losing interest in his job as the Barcelona coach and insists that the Blaugrana are a better side than they were when the Catalan took over

Real Madrid & Barcelona head football rich list

The Spanish giants continue to dominate the Football Money League as they expand their revenue generation over the top clubs from England, Germany and Italy