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Valencia aim to take advantage of wounded Real
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-10 10:33
Champions Barcelona, who are 10 points clear at the top, face a tricky trip
to fourth-placed Osasuna on Sunday.
The Catalans are in euphoric mood after knocking Chelsea out of the Champions
League on Tuesday, but the team from Navarra have only lost twice at home this
season and are hopeful of causing an upset.
"We are always motivated when we play the big teams, but with it being the
leaders we will be giving it 300 percent," midfielder Ludovic Delporte said
earlier this week. "We will be out to beat them."
Barca will be without dynamic Argentine forward Lionel Messi, who faces at
least a month on the sidelines after tearing a thigh muscle against Chelsea,
while Frank Rijkaard is likely to rotate his squad after their exertions against
the Londoners.
With Osasuna facing the leaders, fifth-placed Celta will be hoping to take
advantage when they play Espanyol.
The Galicians, who returned to the top flight after a season in the second
division, beat Osasuna 2-0 last weekend and have lost just one of their last
five games.
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