Friday, May 18th, 2012
Barcelona’s stunning first loss of the season at Getafe on Saturday allowed Real Madrid to open up a six-point gap at the top of the table. A Pep Guardiola managed Barça side has never trailed by such a margin in his three and a half years in charge, but Guardiola believes the challenge now facing his players is one they have shown they can overcome.
“There have been moments where we have played much better than last year. We’ve won two titles against two strong teams, we’ve qualified as group winners in the Champions League with two games to go and we’re second in the league. We know that we’re at a good level but it’s not good enough to be first, up until now Madrid has been better by six points.”
“There’s a lot of the league still to be played and if Madrid maintains their form it will be much more difficult. They haven’t won in a while, so it’s normal that every game is important to them.”
The European champions’ form at home this season has been in stark contrast to that on the road, scoring 30 times in seven home games without reply, and they are heavy favourites to continue that run against a Rayo side that lost to Valencia at the weekend.
The hosts will have Andrés Iniesta and Cesc Fábregas, both of whom’s creativity was desperately missed at the weekend, back in contention, whilst there may also be returns to the starting line-up for Pedro and Javier Mascherano. A boost off the field was that Tito Vilanova happened to be discharged from hospital, and the sooner he’s back on the bench at Barça the more comfortable Guardiola will sit.
Rayo will be missing the suspended Tito but otherwise José Ramon Sandoval has a fully-fit squad to choose from. Raúl Tamudo can be assured a hostile reception from the Camp Nou crowd he often terrorised as an Espanyol player and he may be recalled to the starting XI after a goalscoring appearance from the bench on Saturday.
FACT: Just three teams have picked up more points on the road in La Liga this season than Rayo (9, the same as Barcelona)
Tags: Barcelona, Rayo Vallecano
6 pts is huge and it’s Madrid’s title to lose if they dont underestimate Barca which is still very dangerous and currently the best club in the world. Madrid should attack and not play for a draw in the classicos and win all other league games. Barca being behind by 6 pts has to take risks and that is where Mourinho will surely exploit. Beat Barca and hypocritical Barca will surely start playing ugly football. Stay focus and Madrid will be the new king. Madrid plays seriously, there is no way Barca can win trophies anymore. Barca’s fate depends on Madrid!