After a stern test at the Camp Nou in mid-week against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey, FC Barcelona travel to El Madrigal to take on Villarreal in La Liga.
The Catalans beat Villarreal 5-0 much earlier this season, and it is once again with the intention of imposing themselves that Pep Guardiola’s army face the Yellow Submarines. Unfortunately for Barca though, midfielder Andres Iniesta is unavailable due to a tear in his left hamstring.
The Spaniard will be out of action for approximately three weeks, but the club seems to have more formation problems with the absence of Sanchez, Villa, Fontas and Afellay. For the rest of the team though, excuses are needless: “We are FC Barcelona,” declared Fabregas during a meeting with the press after El Clasico.
“We have to give our best and push on. There are players in the B team who are doing really well.”
Perhaps, a rotation in the squad would ease things for hosts Villarreal, who might not have the confidence required to bring down Los Cules. Marcos Senna openly expressed his fears earlier this week, referring to Barcelona’s physical strength as the key to their devastating form.
"Today, Barcelona are the best team in the world, and it is difficult to find a way to win," Senna reportedly told Sport.
“This current Barcelona team seems to get less tired than others.”
But work must be done at all cost for Villarreal fans. Their team is only an inch away from the relegation zone - dangerously surviving on goal difference.
With only 19 points up to now, the only way to stay out of the Bottom 3 is to get rid of their bad form that has seen them win only one match out of their last six played. Doing so without key striker Giuseppe Rossi is extremely demanding, but defender Gonzalo Rodriguez prefers to remain focused.
“We need a special night against Barca to boost our confidence,” he said. “This is the perfect day to prove we are okay and that we can get out of the relegation spots."
The Spaniard will be out of action for approximately three weeks, but the club seems to have more formation problems with the absence of Sanchez, Villa, Fontas and Afellay. For the rest of the team though, excuses are needless: “We are FC Barcelona,” declared Fabregas during a meeting with the press after El Clasico.
“We have to give our best and push on. There are players in the B team who are doing really well.”
Perhaps, a rotation in the squad would ease things for hosts Villarreal, who might not have the confidence required to bring down Los Cules. Marcos Senna openly expressed his fears earlier this week, referring to Barcelona’s physical strength as the key to their devastating form.
"Today, Barcelona are the best team in the world, and it is difficult to find a way to win," Senna reportedly told Sport.
“This current Barcelona team seems to get less tired than others.”
But work must be done at all cost for Villarreal fans. Their team is only an inch away from the relegation zone - dangerously surviving on goal difference.
With only 19 points up to now, the only way to stay out of the Bottom 3 is to get rid of their bad form that has seen them win only one match out of their last six played. Doing so without key striker Giuseppe Rossi is extremely demanding, but defender Gonzalo Rodriguez prefers to remain focused.
“We need a special night against Barca to boost our confidence,” he said. “This is the perfect day to prove we are okay and that we can get out of the relegation spots."
