Spanish Primera Liga matches, October 4-5
Misfiring Barcelona host league leaders Valencia on Sunday in a match that could well mark the end of the honeymoon period for Dutch coach Frank Rijkaard.
Misfiring Barcelona host league leaders Valencia on Sunday in a match that could well mark the end of the honeymoon period for Dutch coach Frank Rijkaard.
Barcelona are unbeaten this season with two wins and three draws from five matches, but Rijkaard has been unable to inspire any convincing attacking form with only Brazilian Ronaldinho playing anything like his best.
Under Rijkaard, the team have yet to win at home and another failure against Valencia would test the patience of the Nou Camp crowd, who were quick to show their displeasure when suffering similar problems under Louis van Gaal last term.
Barca are not involved in the Champions League this season and they took advantage of a free week to travel to Mexico for a lucrative friendly against America, a match the Catalans lost 2-0.
"We are short of form in front of goal and we have to improve," Rijkaard said. "It's a shame. We need greater determination."
The game was worth 1.5 million euros to the club, according to media reports, but the wisdom of making a 22-hour round trip in the space of four days will be tested by the visit of a powerful Valencia side.
Valencia took over at the top of the Primera Liga standings last weekend after a brilliant 2-0 win over Real Madrid and they look the most likely contenders to depose the champions.
Barcelona hopes of avoiding Real Madrid's fate will be helped by solid defensive form, demonstrated last weekend when they held on for a goalless draw against Atletico Madrid despite having Philip Cocu and Thiago Motta sent off.
Both those players will be suspended for the Valencia game, meaning a possible start for youngster Andres Iniesta, one of the few to emerge from the trip to Mexico with any credit.
Valencia have injury doubts over several players, including Argentine playmaker Pablo Aimar, and Rafa Benitez will wait until the last minute before naming his side.
Other matches being played in the Primera Liga this weekend:
Saturday:
DEPORTIVO CORUNA vs. ATLETICO MADRID
Deportivo lost their hundred percent record, as well as the league leadership, after conceding three goals in four minutes on their way to a 3-2 defeat by Osasuna last weekend.
Javier Irureta's side came back strongly to win in the Champions League, though, and should get back on track in the league against Atletico, who have yet to score away from home this season.
REAL BETIS vs. ATHLETIC BILBAO
Betis lost their opening game but are unbeaten since and look to be on their way back into form. Bilbao, who clinched a morale-boosting win over Basque rivals Real Sociedad last weekend, have defenders Aitor Larrazabal, Ander Murillo, Oscar Vales and midfielder Pablo Orbaiz all injured.
VILLARREAL vs. REAL ZARAGOZA
Unbeaten Villarreal continued their spectacular start to the season with a 2-0 victory over Racing Santander last weekend but lost left winger Javier Calleja with a serious knee injury in midweek, forcing a reshuffle in midfield.
The home side will nevertheless feel confident of a third win of the season against Zaragoza, who have been in disappointing form since their promotion.
Sunday:
MALAGA vs. CELTA VIGO
Malaga won for the first time this season at Espanyol last weekend and could cause problems for Celta, who had an exhausting Champions League clash with AC Milan in midweek.
MURCIA vs. ALBACETE
Albacete claimed their first points of the season with last weekend's victory over Real Mallorca and another win over fellow strugglers Murcia would give them renewed hope of maintaining their top flight status.
REAL MADRID vs. ESPANYOL
Real were well beaten by Valencia last weekend but it will be a major surprise if they do not record a handsome win over bottom club Espanyol.
Raul should be back to lead the attack for the home side, while England captain David Beckham has recovered from his foot injury and is likely to slot straight back into midfield.
REAL MALLORCA vs. OSASUNA
Mallorca are without a coach following the decision to sack Jaime Pacheco following last weekend's defeat by Albacete and Osasuna will be tough opponents on Sunday. Mallorca have a decent home record this season, though, and caretaker boss Tomeu Llompart will fancy celebrating his debut with a win.
REAL SOCIEDAD vs. SEVILLA
Sociedad had to be at their best to claim a valuable Champions League win at Galatasaray in midweek and they will be just as wary of improving Sevilla, although the visitors could be without Brazilian midfielder Julio Cesar Baptista because of illness.
VALLADOLID vs. RACING SANTANDER
Experienced midfielder Jose Luis Caminero is unlikely to recover from injury, meaning a probable start for Bolivian Juan Manuel Pena. Racing were dire in last weekend's 2-0 defeat at home to Villarreal and will be without the suspended Diego Mateo.