PREVIEW-Barca stutter adds extra spice to Valencia clash
Thu Feb 9, 2006 5:43 PM GMT
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By Simon Baskett
MADRID, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Just as champions Barcelona looked as though they might run away with the Spanish title, their recent dip in form has added extra spice to Sunday's top-of-the-table clash at Valencia.
Elimination from the King's Cup at the hands of an in-form Real Zaragoza and a heavy league defeat at home to a resurgent Atletico Madrid have revealed the first ****** in the Catalans' seemingly impenetrable armour.
They still retain a nine-point advantage over Valencia in the standings, but they will need to produce a convincing performance at the Mestalla (kickoff 2000 GMT) if they are to stem the first doubts about their ability to stay the pace.
"Of course we were sad after the 3-1 defeat against Atletico," Brazilian midfielder Edmilson said. "But we have absolutely no doubts about our ability. We aren't worried, we are only focused on playing and winning."
Barca will be boosted by the return of leading scorer Samuel Eto'o from international duty with Cameroon at the African Nations Cup, but unless the Spanish Football Federation decide to overturn his red card against Zaragoza they will be missing the mercurial Ronaldinho once again.
"I'm delighted that Eto'o is back because we need him," said Edmilson. "Without Eto'o and Ronaldinho it is harder for us to win games, although we have a strong enough team to do it."
They will also have to make do without the dynamic presence of Argentine teenager Lionel Messi, who has a muscle strain, while influential midfielder Deco is doubtful after pulling up in training on Thursday.
Valencia, who were Barcelona's predecessors as champions, have made a strong recovery after a shaky start to the season and are on an 11-match winning run.
HIGH-CLASS STRIKER
Allied to their traditional defensive strengths, Valencia have now got a high-class striker in David Villa, who trails Eto'o by just four goals in the scoring charts with 14 this season.
The Spain international has a minor muscle strain but is expected to recover in time to play in Sunday's clash, a game that could prove to be a turning point in the season, according to midfielder Ruben Baraja.
"We'll be just six points behind them if we win and that will bring a lot of excitement to the league," he told sports daily AS. "There is more at stake for us than for them, because if we lose we can almost say goodbye to the league."
Real Madrid, who are a point behind Valencia in the standings in third spot, are still licking their wounds after their humiliating 6-1 demolition at the hands of a devastatingly effective Zaragoza in the Cup, the side's heaviest defeat for seven years.
They will want to salvage some pride when they travel north to play relegation-threatened Athletic Bilbao on Saturday. Real thrashed Bilbao in the Cup last month, but the Basque side are likely to put up stiffer resistance in the league.
Zaragoza, on the other hand, appear to be in unstoppable form after their stunning performances against Barcelona, Real Betis and Real Madrid, but a tricky away game at fourth-placed Osasuna on Saturday could prove their toughest test of all.
Thu Feb 9, 2006 5:43 PM GMT
Printer Friendly | Email Article | RSS
By Simon Baskett
MADRID, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Just as champions Barcelona looked as though they might run away with the Spanish title, their recent dip in form has added extra spice to Sunday's top-of-the-table clash at Valencia.
Elimination from the King's Cup at the hands of an in-form Real Zaragoza and a heavy league defeat at home to a resurgent Atletico Madrid have revealed the first ****** in the Catalans' seemingly impenetrable armour.
They still retain a nine-point advantage over Valencia in the standings, but they will need to produce a convincing performance at the Mestalla (kickoff 2000 GMT) if they are to stem the first doubts about their ability to stay the pace.
"Of course we were sad after the 3-1 defeat against Atletico," Brazilian midfielder Edmilson said. "But we have absolutely no doubts about our ability. We aren't worried, we are only focused on playing and winning."
Barca will be boosted by the return of leading scorer Samuel Eto'o from international duty with Cameroon at the African Nations Cup, but unless the Spanish Football Federation decide to overturn his red card against Zaragoza they will be missing the mercurial Ronaldinho once again.
"I'm delighted that Eto'o is back because we need him," said Edmilson. "Without Eto'o and Ronaldinho it is harder for us to win games, although we have a strong enough team to do it."
They will also have to make do without the dynamic presence of Argentine teenager Lionel Messi, who has a muscle strain, while influential midfielder Deco is doubtful after pulling up in training on Thursday.
Valencia, who were Barcelona's predecessors as champions, have made a strong recovery after a shaky start to the season and are on an 11-match winning run.
HIGH-CLASS STRIKER
Allied to their traditional defensive strengths, Valencia have now got a high-class striker in David Villa, who trails Eto'o by just four goals in the scoring charts with 14 this season.
The Spain international has a minor muscle strain but is expected to recover in time to play in Sunday's clash, a game that could prove to be a turning point in the season, according to midfielder Ruben Baraja.
"We'll be just six points behind them if we win and that will bring a lot of excitement to the league," he told sports daily AS. "There is more at stake for us than for them, because if we lose we can almost say goodbye to the league."
Real Madrid, who are a point behind Valencia in the standings in third spot, are still licking their wounds after their humiliating 6-1 demolition at the hands of a devastatingly effective Zaragoza in the Cup, the side's heaviest defeat for seven years.
They will want to salvage some pride when they travel north to play relegation-threatened Athletic Bilbao on Saturday. Real thrashed Bilbao in the Cup last month, but the Basque side are likely to put up stiffer resistance in the league.
Zaragoza, on the other hand, appear to be in unstoppable form after their stunning performances against Barcelona, Real Betis and Real Madrid, but a tricky away game at fourth-placed Osasuna on Saturday could prove their toughest test of all.
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