Barcelona will be out to prove they are not just a one-man show when they visit Villarreal on Saturday without injured Br
azilian forward Ronaldinho.
The World Cup winner, who joined Barcelona from Paris St Germain in a deal worth up to $36 million in July, was in sparkling form before straining a thigh muscle two weeks ago.
The hugely talented 23-year-old has added a new dimension to the Barca attack and has weighed in with four classy goals that have helped propel the club to fourth position in the table.
But coach Frank Rijkaard believes his side can continue their good run without the Br
azilian, who is expected to remain on the sidelines for at least another two weeks.
"Ronaldinho has shown that he is a very important player for us," says Rijkaard.
"But I am not worried about his injury because we have been improving as a team and we have the ability to show we can win games without him."
Though Villarreal have lost some of their early season edge, they will be difficult opponents on Saturday and are likely to have several former Barca players in the starting line-up.
Argentine playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme has rediscovered his form after an unhappy season at Barca, while Br
azilian striker Sonny Anderson could prove a handful for the Catalan defence on his return to the Nou Camp.
Other Primera Liga matches this weekend:
Saturday:
REAL BETIS vs. DEPORTIVO CORUNA
Slip ups by Real Madrid and Valencia allowed Depor to return to the top of the pile with a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad, but they will need to be on their guard against a Betis side who are anxious for a win after three defeats in a row.
Betis will be missing Br
azilian winger Denilson and talented forward
Tote, while Depor will bring in Uruguayan centre-forward Walter Pandiani to replace the injured
Diego Tristan.
REAL SOCIEDAD vs. REAL MALLORCA
Sociedad are struggling to reproduce the form that saw them run Real Madrid so close for the title last season and are sure to be pressed hard by an improving Mallorca who won 4-1 at home to Murcia two weeks ago. But the Basques will be comforted by the fact they have not lost at home for 20 months.
Sunday:
CELTA VIGO vs. ATHLETIC BILBAO
Champions League obligations have taken a heavy toll on Celta and with Russian playmaker Alexander Mostovoi arriving late from international duty this week and complaining of tiredness, preparations for this game have been far from ideal.
Athletic are well placed in the table, but are still looking for their first away win of the season.
ESPANYOL vs. SEVILLA
Having romped to a 4-1 home win over Real Madrid last time out, Sevilla face an Espanyol side who are now firmly under the control of new coach Luis Fernandez.
The Andalucians have not won away from home this season and will be without the abrasive Dario
Silva, who was sent off against Real, while the bottom-placed Catalans are desperate to record their second win of the season.
MALAGA vs. OSASUNA
While their form has slipped a little in the last two games, Javier Aguirre's Osasuna are still flying high in the table. They will be tested, though, by a rejuvenated Malaga, who have won three out of their last four games thanks largely to the goals of former Valencia striker Salva Ballesta.
MURCIA vs. VALENCIA
Valencia slipped to only their second defeat of the season against Racing Santander, but will be odds-on favourites to win this one. Murcia coach Joaquin Peiro may call on Argentine striker Juan Eduardo Esnaider as his side look for goals and a second win of the season.
RACING SANTANDER vs. REAL ZARAGOZA
With striker Rodolfo Bodipo leading the way, Racing have played some of the most exciting attacking football of the season and another entertaining match is in prospect against an improving Zaragoza who will have to make do without defensive rock Gabriel Milito.
REAL MADRID vs. ALBACETE
Real have had two weeks to mull over their humiliating 4-1 defeat at Sevilla and although their preparations have been hampered by the absence of most of their squad on international duty, they are likely to take it out on lowly Albacete.
Michel Salgado is back after suspension, though fellow defender
Roberto Carlos is still out injured. But with
Ronaldo, who scored twice for Br
azil in midweek, looking as sharp as ever, Real should have little trouble making it six wins out of six at the Bernabeu.
VALLADOLID vs. ATLETICO MADRID
Atletico visited the Vatican this week as part of their centenary celebrations and will no doubt be hoping that the Papal blessing will help guide them to their sixth straight win.
The versatile
Diego Simeone should be fit again for Atletico, while striker Fernando
Torres will be looking to continue his fine run of form after seven goals in five games.