Sports

Saturday October 24, 2009

Barca in raging mood

Spanish champions out to put first dip in form behind them

MADRID: Reigning European and Spanish champions Barcelona will aim to put their first dip in form of the season behind them when they host Real Zaragoza in La Liga tomorrow.

After losing their perfect league record with a 0-0 draw at Valencia, the Catalan side suffered a shock 2-1 Champions League home defeat by relatively unknown Rubin Kazan of Russia in mid-week.

The Kazan loss was Barca’s first since the end of May when they lost 1-0 at home to Osasuna having already wrapped up the league title.

“I don’t believe in positive defeats, nor that it gives us a reality check,” said coach Pep Guardiola, whose side lead Real Madrid by a point.

Real also lost at home in Europe with a 3-2 reverse against AC Milan but have the chance to go above Barcelona as they are in action first today at Sporting Gijon.

Atletico Madrid harboured aspirations to challenge Barca and Real for the title but hover a point above the relegation zone. Coach Abel Resino paid the price for the failure and he was sacked yesterday after Atletico were hammered 4-0 at Chelsea in Group D of the Champions League on Wednesday.

Former Getafe coach and Real Madrid favourite Michael Laudrup has been identified as Resino’s likely successor in the Spanish media.

Atletico host high-flying Real Mallorca, currently fifth, at the Vicente Calderon today aiming to tighten up at the back after leaking eight goals in their last two matches.

Barcelona, in contrast, have the best defence in the league but must do without Brazilian defender Dani Alves, who is out for three weeks with a thigh injury sustained against Kazan, so Carles Puyol may deputise at right-back.

Lionel Messi may be the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or but he has received criticism following some below-par displays for Argentina and Barcelona.

“He is so strong mentally,” said Guardiola. “He is the best player in the world and will continue to show that.”

Real are still waiting for their Messi equivalent, Cristiano Ronaldo, to return from an ankle injury so will turn to Brazilian Kaka for inspiration in Gijon today.

Going forward Real have been menacing but at the back they look unsure and even the ever-reliable goalkeeper Iker Casillas is having problems and was at fault for two of Milan’s goals in the 3-2 Champions League defeat.

Real have leaked seven goals in their last three matches and Spanish international centreback Raul Albiol called for an improvement.

“We have to learn from our mistakes,” said Albiol. “If we can’t win games we at least have to learn not to lose them.”

While the trio of Barcelona, Real and Atletico all lost in Europe, Sevilla made it a perfect three wins with a 3-1 triumph at Stuttgart to top their Champions League group.

Sevilla entertain Espanyol today hoping to bounce back from a 1-0 loss at Deportivo Coruna last time out. — AFP

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