Barca aiming to improve against derby rivals Girona
BARCELONA are looking to extend their lead at the top of La Liga when they host local rivals Girona tomorrow, hoping second-placed Atletico Madrid – their only realistic opponents in the title race – drop points at Sevilla.
Diego Simeone’s side travel south to the Ramon SanchezPizjuan on Sunday, by which time Barcelona could be 10 points clear of them.
Ernesto Valverde’s outfit are unbeaten in the top flight but have delivered some shaky performances of late, drawing three of their last five games, including a 1-1 with Chelsea in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday.
Barcelona were disappointing at Stamford Bridge and will look to find their best form again in a Catalan derby clash which should prove to be entertaining.
Girona have enjoyed an excellent season, with Pablo Machin’s charges sitting eighth and not out of contention for a push to get into Europe next season.
Midfielder Alex Granell, who was crucial in their 3-0 win over Leganes last week, believes his side can get a result at the Nou Camp .
“This team has a lot of ambition,” said Granell.
“It will be a party for the fans and the people that love Girona, but for the players it will be just another game in which we have to compete. We have the ability to hold up against Barcelona.”
Girona are playing in the top flight for the first time in their history and although they lost 3-0 at Montilivi in September against Barca, they made life hard for Valverde’s team. Girona striker Cristhian Stuani, formerly of Espanyol, is one player who can do the hosts damage.
The Uruguayan forward has 13 goals in La Liga this season and is behind only Celta Vigo’s Iago Aspas on 15 and Barcelona duo Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, who have 20 and 17 respectively.
“It will be tough but we will have our chances to take something positive from the game,” said Stuani.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, continue fighting their way up the table and move into the weekend in third place after beating Leganes 3-1 yesterday.
Unai Bustinza had put Leganes in front at Butarque, raising hopes that the home side could record another famous victory just weeks after they ousted Real from the Copa del Rey.
However, the reigning European champions turned this Madrid derby around before halftime with Lucas Vazquez and Casemiro both on target.
Ramos sealed the win with a late penalty, and Real have now taken 16 points from the last 18 available in La Liga. – dpa