‘Helpless’ Barcelona Under a microscope As They Head To Valencia

Barcelona’s excursion down the coast to confront Valencia in La Liga on Saturday has taken on another aspect following their midweek Support Association rout by Illustrious Antwerp. The Catalans actually bested Gathering H yet it was a berating end to their gathering stage crusade. Coming on the rear of a 4-2 pounding at association pioneers Girona last week, the unmistakeable sound of blades is being honed for mentor Xavi Hernandez. “Xavi’s group doesn’t have a game example,” cried the Catalan paper Game, regularly a stalwart supporter of Barcelona.

“It is muddled, the players continually commit puerile errors and, additionally, they are weak in protection. As such, nothing works. Nothing by any means.”

Xavi’s concerns have been compounded by reports that club president Joan Laporta has been meddling in group determination.

“Strains are being created that have neither rhyme nor reason,” expressed Xavi after a characterless execution against Antwerp.

“I’m stressed, it’s not unexpected. The group isn’t happy. We’re on a terrible run, we’ve had two adverse outcomes.

“The sentiments are bad. We must be self-basic. We need to improve to win things.”

One more loss on Saturday against eleventh put Valencia and, without a doubt, the strain will rise much something else for Xavi and his players.

Barca go into the match in fourth spot, seven focuses behind Girona who close the seventeenth round of La Liga on Monday against twelfth set Alaves.

Girona have one draw and nine successes in their last 10 matches.

“These players are truly leaving a mark on the world and this makes me most joyful,” said Girona mentor Michel Sanchez after his side had whipped their kindred Catalans.

Genuine Madrid, in the interim, can assume control over the lead, regardless of whether just for 24 hours, in the event that they can beat thirteenth put Villarreal on Sunday.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side were held to a 1-1 draw by seventh-put Genuine Betis last end of the week, dropping to second place, two focuses behind Girona.

Genuine Madrid go into the game on the rear of a 3-2 win over Association Berlin on Tuesday to wrap up a decisive victory of Champions Association bunch stage triumphs.

“We’ve done very well in this initial segment of the time up until this point,” said a fulfilled Ancelotti after the success.

Player to watch: Antoine Griezmann

Atletico Madrid travel to Bilbao to take on fifth-put Athletic on Saturday with Antoine Griezmann hoping to add to his objective count as he pursues down Luis Aragones as the club’s unequaled record goalscorer.

With his objective in Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Lazio in the Bosses Association, the Frenchman is presently only two objectives short of the 173 that ‘El Sabio de Hortaleza’ scored up for the club.

Installations (all times GMT)

Friday

Osasuna v Rayo Vallecano (2000)

Saturday

Celta Vigo v Granada (1300), Athletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (1515), Sevilla v Getafe (1730), Valencia v Barcelona (2000)

Sunday

Almeria v Genuine Mallorca (1300), Genuine Sociedad v Genuine Betis (1515), Las Palmas v Cadiz (1730), Genuine Madrid v Villarreal (2000)

Monday

Girona v Alaves (2000)