Spanish soccer’s defending La Liga champions Barcelona attempt to hang onto the coattails of runaway leaders Real Madrid on Sunday with Pep Guardiola’s team insisting they do not deserve to be 10 points behind their bitter rivals.
All eyes will be on the Spanish capital on Sunday when the race for the title continues with Real making the short journey to neighbours Rayo Vallecano while Barcelona visit Atletico.
Barcelona captain Xavi Hernandez believes the gap is not a fair reflection of the league so far.
“If we compare the play of Madrid and ours, the gap is too big but we have not had the best of luck. Football is like that – sometimes it’s the smallest details that matter and we have not been able to control those as much this season,” he said.
“We won the World Club Championship and, without realising it, probably lost a bit of rhythm due to that, but we are keen to win back those 10 points.
“I watch most Madrid matches but I don’t follow what (Jose) Mourinho says. I’m more interested in the football.”
Madrid have been criticised in the past week for their decision to not offer their Santiago Bernabeu stadium as a stage for the Spanish Cup final that Barcelona will contest with Athletic Bilbao in May.
Although work on the stadium is the official reason given as to why the game cannot be played in the Bernabeu, it is thought Madrid’s management do not want to run the risk of Barcelona lifting a trophy on their home ground.
Two key players for Madrid this season, Angel Di Maria and Karim Benzema, are unavailable for the game at Rayo Vallecano.
The absence of Benzema gives Gonzalo Higuain, recently linked with a summer move to Manchester City, the chance to establish a place in Mourinho’s starting 11.
Rayo have won their past three games and sit in eighth position, only two points behind a potential Champions League place next season.
Their compact stadium, located in the south Madrid area of Vallecas, will be full for the visit of their illustrious neighbours who have not been to the venue since Rayo’s last appearance in the top division in the 2002/03 season.
