Barca on their toes against in-form Sevilla
MADRID: La Liga leaders Barcelona will have to break Sevilla’s 31-game unbeaten run at the Sanchez Pizjuan to ensure they maintain a four-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the table on Saturday.
Barca swept aside Almeria on Wednesday to take their winning streak in all competition to nine games, but have the added complication of facing the on-form Andalusians just three days before a Champions League quarter-final, first leg away to Paris Saint-Germain.
“We know that they will be very difficult matches, but if we face them with the personality we have we will have a good chance because we are Barca,” said striker Luis Suarez after scoring twice against Almeria to take his tally for the season to 16.
Barca will at least be able to welcome back six first-team regulars, including Neymar and Gerard Pique, after they were rested against Almeria.
“The schedule in April is very hard. We can’t win any title, but we can lose them if we don’t do things right,” Pique said on Thursday.
“We can be knocked out the Champions League or lose our lead in the league. We have to go game by game and if we finish April well it means we are in the semifinals and still on top in La Liga.”
Sevilla have also won their last seven games in all competitions and are in desperate need of the points as they battle Valencia and Atletico Madrid for a place in next season’s Champions League.
RONALDO WINS APPEAL The Spanish league on Friday cancelled a yellow card awarded against Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo for diving, ending a the threat of one-match suspension.
The Portuguese attacker got the card for diving in the penalty area against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday. TV images later showed that he had been tripped by a defender.
Ronaldo avoids a one-match suspension for his fifth yellow card meaning he will be available to play in a key match on Saturday against Eibar.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti will already be without James Rodriguez and Toni Kross, who are suspended, and the injured Gareth Bale (muscle problem).
“Bale won’t be available tomorrow,” Ancelotti said. “He’s suffering from a sprain and it’s best to wait until Tuesday (when Real face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League).”