Barca set to get sizeable advantage ahead of El Clasico
IF there’s one thing Benni McCarthy has demonstrated in his first stint as a head coach, it’s that he’s not afraid to rotate. To make the Cape Town City starting team, a player has to show his worth at every training session if he wants to be in the running for selection. It is because of this attitude that goalkeeper Sage Stephens has got quite a bit of game time this season. City have veteran Shu-aib Walters as the ostensible number one keeper – but, while the 35-year-old was out injured, Stephens came in and was a solid and reliable performer. City are back in action this evening when they host AmaZulu at the Cape Town Stadium (8pm) – and, if the Cape side wants to continue to be among the challengers, then nothing less than victory will suffice. Mamelodi Sundowns, after three wins on the trot, have finally broken clear at the top of the PSL standings, so it’s important that City stay in touch. AmaZulu, though, have been revitalised by coach Cavin Johnson having worked at Ajax Cape Town for a number of years. “I’m really looking forward to this game because it feels like we haven’t played at home for so long,” said Stephens. “But preparations have been going very well and I’m also excited because the coach has shown faith in me yet again. The guys have been looking great in training, even though we come off what we consider a bad result against SuperSport (a 1-1 draw). The positive is that everyone put in 150 percent effort although the result didn’t go our way. “Playing against my old team (AmaZulu) isn’t really on mind, I’m just focused on playing again as if I was playing against any other team in the league. BARCELONA: Barcelona are looking to increase the distance between themselves and bitter rivals Real Madrid ahead of their Clasico as they host Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday in La Liga.
The Catalans are top with 39 points, eight ahead of fourth placed Madrid, who are not involved in domestic action due to their participation in the Club World Cup final against Gremio in Abu Dhabi tomorrow.
A victory for Barcelona against Cristobal Parralo’s Galicians, who are hovering just above the relegation zone in 17th, would give them a sizeable advantage before they travel to the Santiago Bernabeu on December 23.
Although Javier Mascherano and Samuel Umtiti are still out injured, Thomas Vermaelen has been doing well in defence alongside Gerard Pique and will deputise again.
Ernesto Valverde’s unbeaten side have enjoyed a rare mid-week off and will be raring to go against theoretically weak opponents, although they suffered against Galician foe a fortnight ago, when Celta Vigo earned a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou.
Depor midfielder Garles Gil believes his side must follow the path set out by their local rivals.
“Celta’s precedent can be good for us,” he said. “When you go to the Camp Nou you know they want to keep possession. If you want to get something there, when you have the ball you have to try and keep it, not lose it quickly, in areas where they are dangerous.
“Logically, we know who we’re facing, we’re facing a phenomenon.
“Every match has its own conditions, its own characteristics. Our opponents have their strong points but also some weak points which we have to take advantage of.”
Deportivo have Gerard Valentin and Fede Cartabia out injured but otherwise a fit side, which will be spearheaded by Lucas Perez. The on loan Arsenal forward has scored two goals in his last two away games against Barcelona, during his previous spell at Depor, and will be looking to add to that tally.
Second-placed Valencia will try to close the gap on Barcelona to two points tomorrow when they head to mid-table Basque minnows Eibar.
Los Che have been the surprise package of the season and bounced back from their first season defeat to overcome Celta Vigo last weekend, demonstrating their sticking power at the top of the table.
However, Valencia forward Simeone Zaza, the second top goalscorer in La Liga with 10, says the team are taking each game as it comes.
“It’s alright to dream, in football and in life, but the reality is that there are stronger and more experienced sides than Valencia,” he said. “We’ve got to keep going and we’ll see where we are at the end of the season.”
Atletico Madrid, in third, host Alaves later tomorrow, with Diego Simeone’s side looking to continue their recent improvement in form in La Liga to help overcome the disappointment of Champions League elimination.
The weekend’s other fixtures are a Basque derby between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad, Sevilla v Levante, Girona v Getafe, Celta Vigo v Villarreal, Las Palmas v Espanyol and Malaga v Real Betis. – dpa