Real Madrid travel to Girona in eye of political storm
MADRID: After watching Barcelona cope ably with the distraction of political tension sweeping across Spain in recent weeks, it is Real Madrid's turn to head into the eye of the storm on Sunday when they travel to Girona.
It is the European champions' first trip to Catalonia since violence marred a separatist called independence referendum for the region on October 1 that has sparked weeks of political chaos.
The atmosphere surrounding Real's first ever top-flight visit to Girona, a heartland of proindependence support, could be further intensified should the Spanish government follow through with plans this weekend to seize Catalonia's autonomous powers in an attempt to stave off a declaration of independence.
But the protagonists insist they are preparing solely with the 90 minutes on the pitch in mind.
"We will have the security there as always to play a football match, nothing more," said Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane.
"We are thinking solely about the match as always and not about what could happen around it."
As is normal on trips to Catalonia, Real will not use their official team bus for fear of reprisals.
"It won't be the first time that this has happened and there is no need to give it any further importance," Real's Director of Institutional Relations, Emilio Butragueno, told Spanish sports daily Marca.
"Real Madrid are a football club and we will only talk about the football - that is all we focus on, to win and to make our fans happy."
Fresh from picking up FIFA's award for the best player of 2017, Cristiano Ronaldo will be one of number of Real stars to return after being rested for Real's Copa del Rey last 32, first leg at thirdtier Fuenlabrada on Thursday.
Gareth Bale once again misses out through injury, although there is hope the Welshman could return from a calf problem in time to face his old side Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Political distractions aside, Real remain in need of the points in Girona in their chase of Barcelona, who travel to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday hoping to open up an eight-point lead over their rivals.
Barca boss Ernesto Valverde returns to San Mames for the first time since swapping Bilbao for Barcelona in June.
"No matter where you have made your career or where you have played, everyone has the club they are most defined by and mine clearly is Athletic," Valverde told Barcelona's website.
"The first time you go back you try to concentrate on your own team because if you go around shaking hands with everyone you forget there is a game and three very important points at stake."