Hurting Barca bid to slow Madrid's title charge in Clasico

The Spanish champions can make a last stand by reeling Madrid's lead in to five points at the Bernabeu, even if overhauling their arch-rivals with seven matches remaining to defend the trophy is a tough task. Paris Saint-Germain brought Barcelona's European adventure to an end in painful fashion on Tuesday, overhauling the Catalans' two-goal lead in the tie.

Picking up his squad emotionally after that defeat will not be an easy task for Xavi Hernandez, with some Spanish reports saying the coach may leave his post after the game with reserve team coach Rafael Marquez a possible replacement. Xavi said in January he would depart at the end of the season and despite a strong run of form since leading to a clamour for him to stay, has not changed his mind.

Defeat by PSG may have ended any chance of that happening, beyond a miracle comeback in La Liga.