Barca look to consolidate spot
16 Feb 2014 4:58 AM IST
Victories for Barca away to Sevilla and Real Madrid at home to Villarreal mean both sides are now level with Atletico in a three-way tie at the top on 57 points.
The Catalans lead thanks to a superior goal difference and will fancy themselves to rack up a few goals when relegation-threatened Rayo Vallecano visit the Camp Nou on Saturday.
Rayo’s visit comes in the midst of a big week for Barca as they sealed their place in the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad on Wednesday and will travel to face Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Tuesday.
Gerardo Martino’s men’s performances against Sevilla and Sociedad also suggested they are finding their form at just the right time of the season, and defender Gerard Pique said they can’t afford any slip ups with so many important games on the horizon.
“I don’t know if we’re back in our stride, but we certainly put in a good performance against a good team,” he said after the Sociedad game.
“Now we’re coming into the most exciting part of the season, we have three months ahead of us in which we’re alive in all three competitions. “We have to keep up this level in every game because every match that we have left is a Cup final and at this stage of the season there is no room for error.”
Brazilian forward Neymar is expected to get some playing time on Saturday to improve his match fitness ahead of the City game having been out for three weeks due to a sprained ankle.
Martino could also be tempted to rest a few of his star names with the trip to the Etihad in mind having played a full-strength side at Anoeta in midweek.
Atletico are the first of the three title contenders in action as they host Valladolid earlier on Saturday.
A 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the Cup on Tuesday made it three consecutive defeats for Diego Simeone’s men, having previously lost just twice in 36 games this season.
The Argentine has admitted that tiredness may be beginning to affect his stretched squad and continued to play down any expectations they can last the pace with Madrid and Barcelona until the end of the campaign.
“I am not worried by the defeats, eight days ago we were top of the league”, he told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
“All teams, sooner or later, will go through a bad moment. We will have to see how we respond to this. If one looks at a league of 38 games, it is impossible to think that we could compete with Real Madrid or Barcelona. They have the quality that makes the difference in the long run.” Real Madrid, meanwhile, will once again be without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo when they travel across the Spanish capital to take on Getafe on Sunday.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are in fine form having won 13 of their last 14 games in all competitions and will be heavy favourites for another three points against a Getafe side that hasn’t won since November.
Atletico fined on Ronaldo attack
MADRID: The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Friday fined Atletico Madrid 600 euros ($822) after Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo was struck on the head with a lighter during the clubs’ Copa del Rey clash on Tuesday.
“As this was an isolated incident, in which the object that was used is not banned from sporting arenas and, fortunately, did not cause any damage or injury to the player who was struck, or interrupt the game, the incident merits a sanction to the host club of a 600-euro fine,” said a statement released by the RFEF.
Neymar returns for rayo game
MADRID: Barcelona say forward Neymar has recovered from an ankle injury and will be available to play against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
The Brazil striker has been sidelined since injuring his right ankle in a Copa del Rey match at Getafe on Jan. 16.
Barcelona says Neymar has received medical clearance for the Spanish league match at the Camp Nou. Neymar has missed eight games since the injury.
The Spanish champion is co-leads the league alongside Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid after 23 rounds. Neymar has 10 goals in 24 appearances.
The Catalans lead thanks to a superior goal difference and will fancy themselves to rack up a few goals when relegation-threatened Rayo Vallecano visit the Camp Nou on Saturday.
Rayo’s visit comes in the midst of a big week for Barca as they sealed their place in the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad on Wednesday and will travel to face Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Tuesday.
Gerardo Martino’s men’s performances against Sevilla and Sociedad also suggested they are finding their form at just the right time of the season, and defender Gerard Pique said they can’t afford any slip ups with so many important games on the horizon.
“I don’t know if we’re back in our stride, but we certainly put in a good performance against a good team,” he said after the Sociedad game.
“Now we’re coming into the most exciting part of the season, we have three months ahead of us in which we’re alive in all three competitions. “We have to keep up this level in every game because every match that we have left is a Cup final and at this stage of the season there is no room for error.”
Brazilian forward Neymar is expected to get some playing time on Saturday to improve his match fitness ahead of the City game having been out for three weeks due to a sprained ankle.
Martino could also be tempted to rest a few of his star names with the trip to the Etihad in mind having played a full-strength side at Anoeta in midweek.
Atletico are the first of the three title contenders in action as they host Valladolid earlier on Saturday.
A 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the Cup on Tuesday made it three consecutive defeats for Diego Simeone’s men, having previously lost just twice in 36 games this season.
The Argentine has admitted that tiredness may be beginning to affect his stretched squad and continued to play down any expectations they can last the pace with Madrid and Barcelona until the end of the campaign.
“I am not worried by the defeats, eight days ago we were top of the league”, he told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
“All teams, sooner or later, will go through a bad moment. We will have to see how we respond to this. If one looks at a league of 38 games, it is impossible to think that we could compete with Real Madrid or Barcelona. They have the quality that makes the difference in the long run.” Real Madrid, meanwhile, will once again be without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo when they travel across the Spanish capital to take on Getafe on Sunday.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are in fine form having won 13 of their last 14 games in all competitions and will be heavy favourites for another three points against a Getafe side that hasn’t won since November.
Atletico fined on Ronaldo attack
MADRID: The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Friday fined Atletico Madrid 600 euros ($822) after Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo was struck on the head with a lighter during the clubs’ Copa del Rey clash on Tuesday.
“As this was an isolated incident, in which the object that was used is not banned from sporting arenas and, fortunately, did not cause any damage or injury to the player who was struck, or interrupt the game, the incident merits a sanction to the host club of a 600-euro fine,” said a statement released by the RFEF.
Neymar returns for rayo game
MADRID: Barcelona say forward Neymar has recovered from an ankle injury and will be available to play against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
The Brazil striker has been sidelined since injuring his right ankle in a Copa del Rey match at Getafe on Jan. 16.
Barcelona says Neymar has received medical clearance for the Spanish league match at the Camp Nou. Neymar has missed eight games since the injury.
The Spanish champion is co-leads the league alongside Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid after 23 rounds. Neymar has 10 goals in 24 appearances.
Next Story
