NO.1 A SWEET TREAT BEFORE VALENTINE’S DAY IN THE CITY OF ROMANCE
arcelona have the chance to go top of La Liga for the first time since October in a Copa del Rey final dress rehearsal when they visit Alaves today.
Alaves edged out Celta Vigo on Wednesday to reach the final for the first time, whilst nine-man Barca had to survive a second leg onslaught from Atletico Madrid in midweek to make a fourth straight final.
However, Barca’s quest for a second treble in three seasons faces more severe tests this week as a visit to Mendizorroza is followed by a Valentine’s Day trip to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday in the Champions League.
The champions trail Real Madrid by a point, who also have two games in hand, but, with Madrid not in action until later on today at Osasuna, victory will take Barca top for a few hours at least for the first time since October 22.
Barca boss Luis Enrique has almost a fully-fit squad to choose from as Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta made their return from injury as second-half substitutes in midweek, whilst Neymar returns from suspension.
Madrid are in action for the first time in two weeks when they face rock bottom Osasuna, who are still without a home win all season.
The European champions’ clash at Celta Vigo last weekend was called off by wind damage caused to Celta’s Balaidos stadium. Zinedine Zidane’s men now face having to play half their league season in just over three months.
Players back from injury
However, the break has allowed Zidane to recover a series of important players from injury with the visit of Napoli in the Champions League also to come on Wednesday.
Third-placed Sevilla need to spoil Jese Rodriguez’s home debut for Las Palmas tomorrow after joining his hometown club on loan from PSG if they are to remain on Barca and Madrid’s coattails in the title race.
Atletico hold the upper hand in the battle for the fourth Champions League spot, but six sides are separated by just seven points. Two of them were head-to-head last night as Espanyol hosted Real Sociedad, who could have leapt over Atletico with a win.
Atletico aren’t in action till tomorrow when they host Celta Vigo at the Vicente Calderon.