Real aim to close the gap

New and improved Real aim to cut Barca’s five-point lead in Spain’s Primera Division.

Manuel Pellegrini
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‘Guti’ has enjoyed a triumphant return to form and favour recently [GALLO/GETTY]

Real Madrid will be hoping to capitalise on a recent improvement in form to cut the lead of rivals Barcelona in Spain’s Primera Division this weekend.

Their triumphant 3-1 win last weekend against Deportivo La Coruna broke a 19-year winless streak for Madrid at Riazor Stadium, fuelling hopes they are
finding title-winning form.

Jose Maria “Guti” Gutierrez in particular earned plaudits for his performance, despite having been sidelined for much of the first half of the season following a run-in with coach Manuel Pellegrini.

Last weekend his confident extravagant backheel set up a goal for Karim Benzema against Deportivo, and the 33-year-old midfielder seems to be back in favour.

Madrid host Espanyol who are currently sitting in 14th spot while 7th seed Getafe visit champions Barcelona.

In-form

“Guti has been playing at a high standard in the last games,” captain Raul Gonzalez said.

“Only a genius could do (that backheel) and that’s what he is. He’s returned with a lot of enthusiasm and he’s comfortable.”

In midfield, Pellegrini could also have Lassana Diarra and Rafael van der Vaart available as they recover from injuries.

Madrid will be missing Ronaldo in attack however, as the winger has the second game of his two-match ban to serve for breaking the nose of Malaga’s Patrick Mtiliga.

Raul could form the same partnership with Benzema, who scored two goals
against Deportivo. However, Gonzalo Higuain could also feature on Saturday on his return from injury.

Higuain’s goals and the arrival of Ronaldo and Benzema have resulted in Raul spending increasing time on the bench this season, a situation he appears to have accepted.

“For anyone, not playing regularly is not ideal but I can’t complain,” Raul said.

“For 15 years, I have played in virtually everything and now I’ve spent three months playing less. It’s a situation that had to arrive at some point.”

Barca wary

League champions Barcelona will seek to extend their 20-game unbeaten run when they host Getafe.

However, they will be wary of a Getafe team who have avoided defeat in their
last two visits to the Camp Nou.

Although Pep Guardiola’s team are out of the Copa del Rey, they are enjoying an excellent run in both attack and defence. In their last five league and cup games, Barcelona have scored 14 goals without conceding.

Barcelona have played down Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s goal drought as they continue their title drive.

The Sweden striker hit the ground running after moving from Inter Milan in the close season, quickly notching 11 league goals.

Ibrahimovic, though, has only found the net once in their last nine matches in all competitions.

“He’s already scored a load of goals in the league so it’s no problem if he goes a few games without scoring,” team mate Seydou Keita said.

Liga fixtures

Saturday February 6

undefined Barcelona v Getafe
undefined Real Madrid v Espanyol
undefined Valencia v Valladolid

Sunday February 7

undefined Almeria v Sporting Gijon
undefined Athletic Bilbao v Xerez
undefined Malaga v Deportivo
undefined Mallorca v Villarreal
undefined Osasuna v Tenerife
undefined Racing v Atletico Madrid
undefined Real Zaragoza v Sevilla

“If he doesn’t score there are others who will because we are a team so we aren’t worried.”

Ibrahimovic has said he expects more from himself but coach Pep Guardiola and his squad have praised the towering frontman for his contribution and the way he brings others into the game.

Some Madrid media have questioned Barca’s 1-0 win against Sporting Gijon last weekend, claiming the free kick that led to Pedro Rodriguez’s goal was not taken correctly and that the striker was offside.

“If Madrid is behind us (in the standings) it’s because we’re doing things better,” midfielder Seydou Keita said.

“If referees are being talked about it’s probably just to unnerve us, because if we’re leaders it’s because we’ve been better.”

Valencia are eight points adrift of Real in third spot and host Real Valladolid on Saturday.

Two new coaches take the stage after sackings early in the week with Onesimo Sanchez stepping up at 17th-placed Valladolid and Juan Carlos Garrido replacing Ernesto Valverde at Villarreal (10th).

Source: News Agencies