The second position as a revulsive
Barcelona receives Rayo with the aim of ensuring their presence in the next ‘Champions’ as soon as possible
MADRID, 23 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) –
FC Barcelona seeks this Sunday against Rayo Vallecano at the Camp Nou (9:00 p.m./Movistar LaLiga), in the postponed match of the twenty-first day of LaLiga Santander, a victory that will strengthen it in second place, after they disappeared practically their chances of the title, while the Madrid team is eager to surprise again against the azulgranas to definitively banish the threat of relegation.
Last Monday’s surprising defeat at home against Cádiz (0-1) made Xavi Hernández’s men say goodbye almost mathematically to their already few chances of winning LaLiga Santander, especially after the leader Real Madrid came back with an epic comeback in the Sánchez-Pizjuán a day earlier (2-3).
“We are playing a lot, the ‘Champions’ and second place. We are realistic, LaLiga is practically impossible. We want to improve the sensations; in February and March it was excellent, but we have dropped a little in terms of game,” he said at a conference. press the Catalan technician.
On Thursday, they beat Real Sociedad (0-1), but neither the Whites nor Nervionenses failed against Osasuna (1-3) and Levante (2-3). With this, the culé team continues second, with one game less, 15 points behind the madridista team and with the same 63 points as Sevilla, which they could move away from if they win this Sunday.
If it does, it would also strengthen its ‘Champions’ position, with Real Betis (57) and Real Sociedad (55) waiting for any stumble from those above to give a ‘bite’ to the access positions to the next edition of the Champions League.
Outside the Europa League and with the sole objective of securing the ‘Champions’, Xavi will not reserve anything in a game in which he will not be able to count on Pedri, Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto and Samuel Umtiti. However, he will have both Ronald Araujo and Gerard Piqué at his disposal, who ended the duel at the Reale Arena with discomfort but have entered the squad list.
Opposite, Rayo needs to certify their permanence in the First Division as soon as possible, a mission for which they have regained faith after storming the RCDE Stadium during the week (0-1) with a goal from Sergi Guardiola that broke a streak of 13 games without winning .
After an excellent first round that made them even set foot in the European zone, Andoni Iraola’s team deflated and now have a minimum rent on the burning stalls. With 39 units, they manage seven over the first of the teams in danger, Granada (30), so a victory this Sunday would bring salvation closer.
Without Martín Merquelanz or Esteban Saveljich, the ones who will be at the Camp Nou will be full-back Ivan Balliu and Radamel Falcao, who a month after being injured will reappear against the Catalans; a goal from the Colombian in the first round in Vallecas allowed the Rayistas to beat the Catalans 19 years later (1-0), a victory that also precipitated the dismissal of Ronald Koeman.
DATASHEET.
–POSSIBLE ALIGNMENTS.
FC BARCELONA: Ter Stegen; Dest, Eric Garcia, Pique, Jordi Alba; Gavi, Busquets, Frenkie de Jong; Dembele, Aubameyang and Ferran Torres.
VALLEY RAY: Dimitrievski; Balliu, Mario Hernandez, Catena, Fran Garcia; Óscar Valentín, Trejo, Comesaña; Isi, Sergi Guardiola and Álvaro García.
–REFEREE: Mateu Lahoz (C.Valenciano).
–STADIO: Camp Nou.
–TIME: 9:00 p.m./Movistar LaLiga.