Battle for La Liga heats up
Madrid, Feb. 28: Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has brushed aside an insinuation by Barcelona’s Gerard Pique that the league leaders are getting preferential treatment by referees ahead of Wednesday’s round of games.
Real host Las Palmas while Barca, a point behind in second place, are at home to Sporting.
Following Real’s 3-2 win over VIllarreal over the weekend, Pique tweeted examples reported by the Spanish press that refereeing decisions were going in the league leaders’ favour and against his own team.
“I don’t believe that the referees attempt to give or take anything away from you, quite the opposite, they try to be fair,” Ramos told his club’s website.
Las Palmas forward Jese Rodriguez will face his former club less than six months after leaving Real Madrid to join Paris St Germain.
Barcelona host coach Luis Enrique’s hometown club without the services of defender Mathieu, who sustained a sprained ankle against Atletico.
The defending champions have Messi in top form, with the Argentine forward having scored in his team’s last four league games. He has a league-best 20 goals.
Opponents Sporting are in the relegation zone with 17 points from 24 games.
Third-place Sevilla host Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.