La Liga: Barcelona and Real Madrid seek a return to winning ways

Barcelona manager Xavi has stated that he and his team are already looking forward to getting back to winning ways on Saturday in La Liga after their 2-1 loss to Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.

Goals from Alvaro Garcia and Fran Garcia in each half, respectively, gave the home side a 2-1 win after Robert Lewandowski’s late consolation. The goal was the Pole’s first goal in five games.

Xavi was disappointed with the result, especially as Barcelona was unable to take advantage of Real Madrid’s 4-2 slip to Girona on Tuesday to go fourteen points clear.

“There are no excuses; we have to think about Saturday and get back to the good form we showed against Atlético. We are very upset because today we had a very good opportunity to go out with a bigger lead. Rayo deserved the win, and we have to congratulate them. The positive thing is that we are closer to winning La Liga, but we have not played a good game; we have not been comfortable. They have been intense and deserved the win.” Xavi said.

Barcelona still remains top of the La Liga table, 11 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, and will face Real Betis on Saturday night for a chance to get closer to claiming the La Liga title for this season officially.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, will also on Saturday and hope to bounce back from that 4-2 loss to Girona courtesy of a 4-2 haul from Taty Castellanos.

The Los Blancos will play Almeria at Santiago Bernabeu and hope to steer clear of city rivals Atletico Madrid who are breathing down their necks in third place.

However, the first game of La Liga Matchday 32 is Friday’s fixture between Osasuna and Real Sociedad at El Sadar, while Saturday’s fixture is between Elche and Rayo Vallecano.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu