BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – Real Madrid will be hoping to maintain their lead in La Liga with a solid performance against struggling Valencia this weekend before heading into a tough game against Liverpool.
Xabi Alonso’s side travel to Anfield next Tuesday for a Champions League clash between the European title hopefuls.
Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 Last weekend, the Catalan club’s streak of winning four Clasicos in a row dating back to last season came to an end. With this victory, Madrid increased their lead in the league with a five-point difference over second-placed Barcelona.
key match
Madrid have won five games in a row, including a 1-0 win over Juventus in the Champions League.
Kylian Mbappé scored his 11th goal in the domestic league, contributing to Barcelona’s defeat. The French striker is also joint top of the Champions League with Harry Kane, with five goals each.
On Saturday, Madrid hosted Valencia, but the home fans jeered during the match. Lost 2-0 to regional rival Villarreal In the final round. Valencia are without a win in five games and are in the relegation zone.
Injury-hit Barcelona will look to heal the wounds of their Clasico defeat against Elche on Sunday.
Elche was a surprise package in the first few months. The small southern club were promoted at the end of last season and have so far lived up to expectations. Coach Eder Sarabia has his team in 8th place with just two losses up to the 10th round.
Third-placed Villarreal can provisionally move ahead of Barcelona if they beat Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
Featured players
All eyes will be on Vinicius Junior and Alonso at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Vinicius was clearly upset. When the coach substituted him with about 20 minutes left in the Clasico. He went straight to the locker room and returned to the bench a few minutes later.
The Brazilian forward later apologized on social media, saying: “Sometimes passion gets the better of me.”
Alonso, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti this summer, has given Vinicius less playing time than his predecessor.
Activity suspended
Midfield leader Pedri González joins Barcelona’s long list of injuries, which already includes Robert Lewandowski and Rafinha, the team’s top scorer from last season’s Championship side.
Pedri, who tore a muscle He played in 72 of 73 games since Hansi Flick took charge of Barcelona last season due to a left thigh injury. The Spanish playmaker’s vision, control and passing skills are unmatched by his teammates.
Lewandowski and midfielder Dani Olmo returned to team training this week but had not been cleared by team doctors to play as of Thursday.
Barcelona midfielder Gabi Paes, goalkeeper Joao Garcia and Marc-Andre ter Stegen were also sent off with injuries.
Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal will be out for several weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee this week. Fellow defender Antonio Rudiger remains sidelined.
off the field
Flick will return to Barcelona’s dugout against Elche. He was suspended for the game against Madrid after suffering the following symptoms: Sent off for protesting Two matches ago, they won 2-1 against Girona.
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