Athletic Bilbao earn victory over Schalke

Two goals from Fernando Llorente and one each from Oscar de Marcos and Iker Muniain earned Bilbao a Europa League quarter-final first-leg win at Schalke.

Raul earlier gave Schalke a 2-1 lead with his double, before the Spanish side fought back to earn victory.

Elsewhere, AZ Alkmaar shocked Valencia with a 2-1 victory, while Sporting Lisbon saw off Metalist 2-1.

Women's Super League Launches Twitter

Women's Super League players will be the first professional athletes in the UK to have their Twitter account names printed on their shirt sleeves.

One player from each of the eight sides will wear the social network logo to boost the WSL's profile.

The professional summer league begins its second season on Sunday.

Sergio Aguero set to return after injury

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero expects to return to the side to face Arsenal on Sunday after a foot injury.

The Argentine missed City's 3-3 draw with Sunderland on Saturday after picking up what City boss Roberto Mancini described as a "stupid" injury.

"I got back from practice on Wednesday and and there's no pain anymore," he tweeted.  "If it all goes well, I'll be at coach's disposal on Sunday." 

Real Madrid 5-2 Apoel (agg 8-2)

Real Madrid confirmed a Champions League semi-final with Bayern Munich despite Apoel's defiant performance.

The hosts, with a 3-0 first-leg advantage, took the lead on the night through Cristiano Ronaldo's close-range finish before Kaka curled in a second.

Apoel's Gustavo Manduca finished a fine attacking move before Ronaldo scored a free-kick to make it 3-1.

Chelsea 2-1 Benfica (agg 3 - 1)

Chelsea will face Barcelona after reaching their sixth Champions League semi-final in nine years with victory over Benfica at Stamford Bridge. 

Frank Lampard's first-half penalty set the platform for Chelsea's successful defence of the 1-0 lead they established in Lisbon's Stadium of Light.

And even though Chelsea had to survive nervous moments in the last five minutes after Javi Garcia's header put Benfica one goal away from winning the tie, a spectacular strike from substitute Raul Meireles in the dying seconds cut short the comeback.

Chelsea vs Benfica

Chelsea could have Didier Drogba, David Luiz and Raul Meireles available for the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Benfica after the trio trained ahead of the game.  Centre-back David Luiz picked up an ankle injury in Saturday's league win over Aston Villa. 

Striker Drogba and midfielder Meireles both missed that game with respective foot and knee injuries.

Chelsea hold a 1-0 lead over Benfica as they try to secure a semi-final spot.

Bayern Munich 2-0 Marseille (4-0 agg)

Bayern Munich eased into the semi-finals of the Champions League as they brushed Marseille aside.

The German side quickly added to their 2-0 first leg lead when Franck Ribery crossed for Ivica Olic to slot in at the near post.

Toni Kroos powered a shot against the Marseille post before David Alaba crossed for Olic to again sidefoot in.

Barcelona 3-1 AC Milan (3-1 agg)

Lionel Messi was Barcelona's hero yet again as his two first-half penalties sealed a Champions League quarter-final win over AC Milan.

Messi, 24, moved into third on the list of all-time goalscorers in the competition as Barca set up a last-four place against Benfica or Chelsea.

Milan were briefly level when midfielder Antonio Nocerino steered in Zlatan Ibrahimovic's pass.

But they had no answer after the break with Andres Iniesta adding a third.

Spurs in the semi-final opponents Chelsea FA Cup

Chelsea are concerned that the 6pm kick-off in their FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on Sunday week will increase the potential for trouble between supporters and will cite the fear as further reason for the Football Association to consider an earlier start time. Chelsea continue to rage over the decision to play the game so late, particularly as they may have a Champions League semi-final the following Wednesday against Barcelona or Milan should they get past Benfica at Stamford Bridge .

The focus is on Benfica and Roberto Di Matteo, the interim manager, has been keen to give nothing away over his team selection. The defender David Luiz came off at half-time in Saturday's win at Aston Villa with an ankle problem while the striker Didier Drogba did not travel to the Midlands as he underwent treatment for a toe injury. Di Matteo will monitor the pair in the countdown to the tie, in which Chelsea will seek to prolong England's involvement in European competition this season.

Counterinsurgency Milan Dangerous

Barcelona winger, Pedro Rodriguez, asked his teammates to be wary of backlash AC Milan when the two teams met in the second leg Champions League quarter-final at Camp Nou on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 (Wednesday morning GMT).

Pedro believes Milan will re-apply the last game, the same as the first leg at San Siro last week. It is considered to Pedro to watch out for Barcelona. Because of the defensive, Milan could establish a dangerous counter-attack.

Similarly, the first leg at San Siro, Barcelona capable of dominating the game, but always failed to score. Pedro believes it will re-occur, and the Spanish national team players will be hoping this time Barcelona have scored.

"This is the most important game. They (Milan) will not make it easy, and we have to perform very well. Milan have great players, they are a great team," said Pedro as reported by the official website of Barcelona.

"We're probably going to dominate the game, but you can not get too confident, because they can strike back at any time," continued Pedro.

Barcelona can be performed in full force at home to Milan. In fact, right-back and midfielder Ibrahim Afellay Adriano could return to play. Cesc Fabregas and captain Carles Puyol also be rested when Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 last weekend.

Entertain Marseille, Munich Required Win

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes, has ordered his players to keep the team eyeing victory when the second leg Champions League quarter-final against Olympique Marseille at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 (Wednesday morning GMT).

Munich favorite to step into the semifinals after a successful first leg bent at Marseille 2-0. However, despite playing at home with a two-goal advantage, Munich Heynckes not want to underestimate the visitors.

Heynckes Munich judge will act recklessly if it thinks it is definitely through to the quarter-finals. Heynckes asked Arjen Robben and his friends to keep winning in this second leg.

Puyol: Shoot Space Ibra Should Be Limited

Carles Puyol discuss a number of things related to duel contra Barcelona AC Milan in the Champions League quarter-final second leg. One of the things emphasized by the Blaugrana defender and captain is how dangerous the Rossoneri goal machine named Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

These two European giants will clash at Camp Nou on Wednesday (04/4), in order to fight a ticket to the semifinals after a goalless draw at the first meeting.

"They are a very dangerous team," said Puyol. "I'm sure the fans in the stadium will provide full support from start to finish."

Two Goals Bring Spectacular United Stay away from City

Antonio Valencia beautiful goal and Ashley Young at the end of the game to bring Manchester United beat Blackburn Rovers 2-0 hosts and make the difference with Manchester City into five figures.
 
United (1) visit to the headquarters Blackburn (17), Tuesday (03/4), in the last 31 Premier League 2011/12 after the City (2) being held 3-3 by Sunderland at Etihad Stadium two days earlier.
 
United absolute master the game in the first round. As if performing on home turf, Sir Alex Ferguson's troops superior ball control up to 72 versus 28 percent. However, once they were only able to threaten the Blackburn goal. Instead, it hosts more house that opened fire on target.