Pep: Forget about Real for now

Pep: Forget about Real for now

Published Apr. 30, 2011 12:49 p.m. ET

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has told his players to forget about Real Madrid and turn their focus on Saturday's match away to Real Sociedad.

Guardiola believes the fixture at the Anoeta in San Sebastian will be key to deciding the Primera Division title.

Barca head to Sociedad on the back of a high-profile Champions League match against Real Madrid which hit the headlines as much for the spats either side of it as for the football on the pitch.

With both clubs now in trouble with the footballing authorities, it would be easy to forget there is still a league title at stake.

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With five games to go, Barca have an eight-point advantage over their fierce rivals.

Even so, Guardiola feels Saturday evening's match is crucial.

"It's an absolute priority," he told the club's website. "We have to be very aware that much of the league title depends on what we do at what is always a tough ground.

"If we don't focus our five senses on that, we won't do it.

"Tomorrow we're playing for a competition that lasts 11 months.

"It was hard against Almeria, against Osasuna, and I sense this game will also be difficult. Mathematically we are seven points away from the league title and every win means a huge step."

Lionel Messi, scorer of both goal's in Wednesday's win, is set to miss out after picking up a knock against Madrid, while Carles Puyol is likely to be rested after returning from injury at the Bernabeu.

Pedro is also carrying a knock and is doubtful, while Andres Iniesta, Bojan Krkic, Eric Abidal, Maxwell and Adriano are all sidelined.

Real Sociedad's form in the second half of the season has been poor and the Basques are just three points above the relegation zone.

Few will give the promoted side any hope of beating Barca, but midfielder Xabi Prieto believes an upset may be on the cards.

"If we play well, we have a good chance," he said.

Raul Tamudo, so often a thorn in Barca's side during his time at Espanyol, added: "Sporting (Gijon) made life difficult for them - why not us?"

Joseba Llorente is set to miss out again through injury.

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