No rest for Spanish giants
Messi aims to continue without errors
BARCELONA may be 11 points ahead of their nearest rivals, Atletico Madrid, but Lionel Messi, who this week won his fourth consecutive Ballon d’Or, is keeping his feet on the ground regarding the title race.
The Argentinian is taking nothing for granted as Barca prepare to face one of the toughest trips in La Liga when they visit fourthplaced Malaga tomorrow.
“The league is still not resolved, Madrid have made up a similar lead to this in the past. We know that we can’t take anything as won and we must continue without errors or relaxing,” he said.
“I would have liked to have won more titles last year, my goal is always to keep getting better and not be content with what I have. I always say I have to improve everything,” he added, ominously for La Liga defences after finishing 2012 with a record 91 goals.
Barca also have David Villa back in goalscoring form after he hit a double in the 5-0 Spanish Cup win against Cordoba on Thursday.
Malaga were also successful in the cup in midweek, defeating Eibar 4-1 to set up a two-legged quarterfinal clash with tomorrow’s opponents that will see the two sides meet three times in little over 10 days.
Former Barca forward Javier Saviola, now with Malaga, recognises they will be big games.
Second-placed Atletico also reached the quarterfinals in midweek and welcomed back top-scorer Radamel Falcao who they missed through injury in the 1-1 draw at Mallorca last Sunday.
The Colombian should be available for the home clash with Zaragoza tomorrow.
Real Madrid go to bottom club Osasuna having hit eight goals in two wins since their return from the winter break.
Five of those have come from Cristiano Ronaldo who will not be available for the game due to a suspension for an accumulation of cards.
And now the tension caused by Jose Mourinho’s decision to leave captain Iker Casillas out of the last two league games has ended with the goalkeeper expected to continue in place of the suspended Antonio Adan at Osasuna.
“It has not bothered me at all that Mourinho said that I was a bit too comfortable. I have to train harder and get back my confidence”, Casillas said.
He also had words about his side’s poor league form that sees the champions 16 points behind Barcelona in third place.
“Our form compared to last year has not been too good. Last season was very good for us and we were looking to continue in the same way, perhaps it’s a bit too late to chase back the points and win this league but we have to try to do it.”
Another player who will miss the trip to Pamplona is Sergio Ramos who received a five-game ban for words directed at the referee in the aftermath of a sendingoff against Celta Vigo.
With his centre-half partner Pepe out with injury for a lengthy spell, Mourinho will have to continue with youngster Raphael Varane alongside former Chelsea veteran Ricardo Carvalho in the centre of defence. — Sapa-AFP