Spanish league leader Barcelona must bounce back from its midweek
European defeat when it hosts Xerez on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola's team lost 3-1 to Inter in the San Siro in the
first leg of its Champions League semifinal. It was the first time
Barca has lost by more than a one-goal margin under the coach since
he took charge in 2008.
On paper, Saturday's league fixture offers the perfect chance
for the Catalan side to restore morale and maintain their lead over
second-place Real Madrid, which is one point behind on 83 points.
Xerez is bottom of the standings with only six wins all season.
While the Andalusians might not represent an obvious threat
to the league and European champions, the game should make clear
whether Guardiola's squad has peaked too soon. Last Saturday,
mid-table Espanyol held Barcelona to a goalless draw in the Catalan
derby. The lack of attacking spark in that game was repeated
against Inter.
"We all know it's difficult. Very few teams have managed to
get points (in the Camp Nou)," said Xerez's Victor Sanchez, a
former Barcelona youth team player. "It's difficult but not
impossible. If we play a serious game and don't let them settle, I
think we can hurt them."
Injured midfielder Andres Iniesta has been Barcelona's only
absentee from training this week.
With five rounds left of the season, Real Madrid knows it
needs to maintain its winning league form and for Barcelona to drop
points. Madrid visits Zaragoza on Saturday having won 14 of its
last 15 league games, the only slip-up being a 2-0 loss to
Barcelona in the clasico.
"Is the league race still alive? Of course it is," Madrid
forward Cristiano Ronaldo said. "I'm confident we'll win the five
games remaining and that we'll win the title."
Brazil playmaker Kaka could feature for Madrid for the first
time since the team's Champions League elimination at the hands of
Lyon on March 10. He has been recovering from a persistent groin
problem, which appears to have been a factor in his failure to make
a significant impact at the Bernabeu since a 65 million euro ($87
million) move from Milan last summer.
"He looks well," Ronaldo said of his teammate. "I'm happy for
him because he's a friend and a great professional."
On Thursday, also Kaka's 28th birthday, he trained with the
rest of the squad, along with striker Raul Gonzalez and defenders
Christoph Metzelder and Raul Albiol, who are also returning from
injuries.
Also Saturday, Valencia hosts Deportivo La Coruna.
Fourth-place Mallorca will seek to consolidate its Champions
League credentials when it hosts Malaga on Sunday. Mallorca has
built up a formidable record at its Ono Estadi this season, winning
14 out of 16 league games there. Malaga, in 17th place, is fighting
to avoid relegation.
On Sunday, it's: Sporting Gijon vs. Valladolid; Racing
Santander vs. Villarreal; Almeria vs. Espanyol; Atletico Madrid vs.
Tenerife; and Getafe vs. Sevilla.
On Monday, Osasuna hosts Athletic Bilbao.
