Las Palmas a test for Real
Barcelona – Real Madrid can take the reins at the top of La Liga at Las Palmas today, but the hardy hosts have proven one of the season’s surprise packages.
Girona’s stunning charge to pole position has overshadowed the Canary Island club’s own impressive campaign, but Las Palmas could do their fellow over-achievers a favour against Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Los Blancos are second, a point behind Girona having played one fewer match.
While the trip to Gran Canaria is an opportunity to provisionally overtake the Catalan minnows, it will likely be a difficult afternoon.
Led by former Barcelona reserve coach Francisco Garcia Pimienta (above), who will also be looking to help out his former club, Las Palmas are eighth and in contention to qualify for Europe next season.
The islanders are the strongest defensively in the division behind only Madrid, conceding 17 goals in 21 matches.
Goalkeeper Alvaro Valles has excelled in particular for the promoted side, who were last in La Liga in 2018 before this campaign.
The Spaniard is also protected by Garcia Pimienta’s set-up, dominating possession – no surprise given his two decades at Barcelona – to deny opponents the ball and time to create chances.
In midfield Kirian Rodriguez, who recovered from cancer treatment last season, has become the team’s key player, while former Barcelona duo Munir El Haddadi and Sandro Ramirez add technical ability in attack.
Despite the team’s strong first half of the season, Garcia Pimienta says Las Palmas cannot get carried away.
“We can’t dream,” said the coach after last weekend’s 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano.
“We are a humble team who are sure of the style we play with.
“It’s true we have 31 points, which has a lot of merit...I hope we get to salvation (from relegation) as quickly as possible, that’s the objective.”
Only a stoppage time penalty earned Barcelona three points from their visit to Gran Canaria earlier in January and Las Palmas beat Atletico 2-1 in November.
Madrid will miss leading goalscorer Jude Bellingham, suspended after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season against Almeria.
Barcelona, lying third, welcome Villarreal to their temporary Montjuic home at the Olympic Stadium later today and league leaders Girona visit Celta Vigo tomorrow. –