Real host Barca in El Clasico as title race hots up
Barcelona travel to Real Madrid today in what is set to be one of the most pivotal El Clasico meetings in recent memory, with both sides fast closing in on stuttering Atletico Madrid at the top of the La Liga table. The Catalans, unbeaten in 19 league games, are just one point off the pace while third-placed Real trail by three points after closing the gap from 10 in February.
MADRID — Barcelona travel to Real Madrid today in what is set to be one of the most pivotal El Clasico meetings in recent memory, with both sides fast closing in on stuttering Atletico Madrid at the top of the La Liga table.
The Catalans, unbeaten in 19 league games, are just one point off the pace while third-placed Real trail by three points after closing the gap from 10 in February.
Zinedine Zidane's side are also flying high after their comprehensive 3-1 victory over Liverpool in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday.
Madrid forward Karim Benzema has warned that they need to keep Lionel Messi, who has scored 12 goals in his last 10 league appearances, out of the game if they are to get the three points.
“It'll be a tough game against a side who like to dominate the ball,” Benzema said.
“They have got a great goalkeeper and of course Messi, the player who does everything for Barcelona. We need to be wary of him because he is so, so dangerous.
“Just like in the first meeting this season we will go out on the pitch looking for the win, it's a final for us.” The hosts will be without injured captain Sergio Ramos and centre back partner Raphael Varane, who is isolating following a positive Covid-19 test.
However, Eden Hazard and Dani Carvajal could both be available for Zidane after returning to full training.
LONDON — British sports chiefs say they would accept the introduction of coronavirus “vaccine passports” if they enable the return of capacity crowds as quickly as possible.
In a letter to lawmakers, a number of bodies including the Football Association, Premier League, Rugby Football Union and England and Wales Cricket Board said current social-distancing rules would be “insufficient to end sport's COVID-19 financial crisis”.
Test events are being launched over the coming weeks as part of the government's roadmap out of lockdown, with a FA Cup semi-final and the FA Cup final among pilots for the “COVID-19 status certification” scheme.
Britain plans to issue identification showing whether people are vaccinated, have antibodies or have tested negative, despite opposition from lawmakers in Prime Minister Boris Johnson's own party.
Johnson and opposition leader Keir Starmer are among several politicians to be told by sporting organisations that vaccine and testing passports are a “credible option” to achieve full venues.
“All of our sports can see the benefit that a Covid certification process offers in getting more fans safely back to their sport as quickly as possible,” the joint letter said. “We know that our stadia can only be fully filled with an assurance process.
“This process must ensure that everyone can access stadia and must include arrangements that would verify a negative COVID-19 test or an antibody test or vaccination certification.
“The final approach must not be discriminatory, should protect privacy, and have clear exit criteria.”
Under current plans, from May 17 stadiums in England will be allowed to open with a 25% capacity limit, up to a maximum of 10 000 spectators.
The current plan is for all restrictions on social contact to be lifted on June 21.
Britain has administered around 32 million first vaccine doses — around 60% of the adult population — in one of the world's most successful inoculation drives.
But even with the swift rollout, full venues at major sports events are understood to be unlikely until late in the English sporting summer at the earliest.
A government spokesman said: “We welcome the constructive approach from major British sports as we explore how testing COVID-19 certification and other steps can help get more fans back into stadiums and other large events safely.
“We want as many fans as possible to be able to enjoy a great British summer of sport, safely.” —
Barca, meanwhile, are sweating on the fitness of defender Gerard Pique, who has a knee issue.
Atletico travel to Real Betis having won just three of their last 10 games in all competitions as they struggle to keep their rivals at bay.
Coach Diego Simeone will be without La Liga's second top scorer Luis Suarez, who has a calf problem, and suspended midfielder Marcos Llorente for the trip to Andalucia.
Joao Felix and Yannick Carrasco are back having missed last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Sevilla through injury. —
British to okay use of ‘vaccine passports' to fill stadiums