Real Madrid need to keep nerves as Barcelona, Atletico seek to close in: Madrid suffer a 0-4 humiliatio
FC Barcelona have the chance to pile the pressure on La Liga leaders Real Madrid this weekend.
Last weekend saw Real Madrid suffer a 0-4 humiliation away to local
rivals Atletico Madrid. Barcelona beat Athletic Club Bilbao 5-2 to be
just one point short of Real's 54. Atletico need a slip-up from one of
the big two as they have 50 points, reports Xinhua.
Real kick off the weekend in the title race Saturday afternoon after
Sevilla open the weekend's affairs with a derby against struggling
neighbors Cordoba.
Real are at home to Deportivo la Coruna, whose form has improved
drastically of late and who will face a Real side hit by injuries with
Luka Modric, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Fabio Coentrao and Sami Khedira all
injured.
That will mean Rafael Varene and Nacho Fernandez playing again in the
central defence, although the side will be boosted by the return of
Marcelo after injury.
There is also the chance of a change in goal after Real Madrid coach
Carlo Ancelotti tried Keylor Navas in a couple of midweek training
sessions ahead of Iker Casillas, who was not at his best a week ago.
Saturday's other games see a relegation battle between Granada and
Bilbao, who will hope they are not too affected by the efforts of the
King's Cup semifinal Wednesday night. Espanyol will travel to face a
Malaga side that appears to have run out of stream after a good first
half to the campaign.
Sunday begins with Valencia looking to cement their place in fourth
at home to Getafe, who are led by former Valencia coach Quique Sanchez
Flores. Getafe have picked up slightly under Quique, but Valencia will
be favourites with Alvaro Negredo likely to lead their attack.
Barcelona take on Levante, who lifted themselves off the bottom of
the table with a shock 4-1 win over Malaga last week. But the visit to
the Camp Nou will be different.
Barcelona are arguably in their best form of the season as coach Luis
Enrique seems to have found the formula for success. He has reduced the
squad rotations and placed his faith in the attacking trio of Lionel
Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.
The trio have built up a formidable understanding and with the
midfield also working like clockwork, Barcelona are starting to resemble
the unbeatable team they were under Pep Guardiola at just the right
time.
Rayo Vallecano receive Villarreal, who will be without captain Bruno
Soriano for two months after he broke his foot in midweek. Atletico also
stake their title claim with what could be a difficult trip to Celta's
Balaidos Stadium.
Celta have struggled for form and goals, but have the talent to
trouble Atletico, who need to keep focus after last weekend's triumph.
Coach Diego Simeone will no doubt have drilled that lesson into his
players.
Last weekend saw Real Madrid suffer a 0-4 humiliation away to local
rivals Atletico Madrid. Barcelona beat Athletic Club Bilbao 5-2 to be
just one point short of Real's 54. Atletico need a slip-up from one of
the big two as they have 50 points, reports Xinhua.
Real kick off the weekend in the title race Saturday afternoon after
Sevilla open the weekend's affairs with a derby against struggling
neighbors Cordoba.
Real are at home to Deportivo la Coruna, whose form has improved
drastically of late and who will face a Real side hit by injuries with
Luka Modric, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Fabio Coentrao and Sami Khedira all
injured.
That will mean Rafael Varene and Nacho Fernandez playing again in the
central defence, although the side will be boosted by the return of
Marcelo after injury.
There is also the chance of a change in goal after Real Madrid coach
Carlo Ancelotti tried Keylor Navas in a couple of midweek training
sessions ahead of Iker Casillas, who was not at his best a week ago.
Saturday's other games see a relegation battle between Granada and
Bilbao, who will hope they are not too affected by the efforts of the
King's Cup semifinal Wednesday night. Espanyol will travel to face a
Malaga side that appears to have run out of stream after a good first
half to the campaign.
Sunday begins with Valencia looking to cement their place in fourth
at home to Getafe, who are led by former Valencia coach Quique Sanchez
Flores. Getafe have picked up slightly under Quique, but Valencia will
be favourites with Alvaro Negredo likely to lead their attack.
Barcelona take on Levante, who lifted themselves off the bottom of
the table with a shock 4-1 win over Malaga last week. But the visit to
the Camp Nou will be different.
Barcelona are arguably in their best form of the season as coach Luis
Enrique seems to have found the formula for success. He has reduced the
squad rotations and placed his faith in the attacking trio of Lionel
Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.
The trio have built up a formidable understanding and with the
midfield also working like clockwork, Barcelona are starting to resemble
the unbeatable team they were under Pep Guardiola at just the right
time.
Rayo Vallecano receive Villarreal, who will be without captain Bruno
Soriano for two months after he broke his foot in midweek. Atletico also
stake their title claim with what could be a difficult trip to Celta's
Balaidos Stadium.
Celta have struggled for form and goals, but have the talent to
trouble Atletico, who need to keep focus after last weekend's triumph.
Coach Diego Simeone will no doubt have drilled that lesson into his
players.
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