Xavi plays down rumours of unrest
Midfielder Xavi insists calm has been restored to the Barcelona dressing room after recent suggestions of unrest among the squad had threatened to derail their season.
A surprise defeat to Real Sociedad in the Primera Division last month was swiftly followed by reports that star player Lionel Messi had clashed with coach Luis Enrique and could even leave the club because he was becoming increasingly unhappy with how things had deteriorated at the Nou Camp. However, the Argentina international later addressed the speculation as "lies", while a run of three consecutive wins plus a midweek victory over Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey suggests a crisis has been averted at Barça. And Xavi admits their focus now is on the trophies they can still win come the end of the campaign, with the league, Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League well within their capabilities.
"We're united and hungry," Xavi told the club's official website. "Things always happen in the locker room, they'll continue to happen, and I think it's good that they happen. The team has moved on and doesn't care about it any more. Everything is based on results and now it seems that everything is wonderful. It's great for the whole team."
Barça lie just one point behind leaders Real Madrid, who take on Real Sociedad at the Bernebeu on Saturday a day before the Catalans meet Villarreal. Madrid are also riding a three-match winning run in La Liga but will be without leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo this weekend, as he begins a two-match ban for the red card he received against Cordoba last weekend. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has no doubt the leaders will manage without the Portuguese star, saying: ''A ban is never a good thing but we will cope with it, no problem.
"We will play the same formation as always, 4-4-2, with Gareth Bale on the left and James Rodriguez on the right. James will have a more forward position."
Atletico are ready to pounce should the top two slip up. They are four points off top spot and visit mid-table Eibar on Saturday looking for an immediate response to their cup exit at the hands of Barça. At the wrong end of the table, Granada take on fellow strugglers Elche on Saturday knowing three points would lift them off the foot of the table and above their opponents. Elche saw a three-match unbeaten run ended last weekend with a 6-0 hammering at the hands of Barcelona.
Celta Vigo are also in action on Saturday and will be aiming to arrest their slide down the table at home to Cordoba, having lost eight of their last ten league matches.
Sunday's matches see Levante, who are without a win since 23 November, take on Athletic Bilbao, Getafe travel to Almeria and Sevilla face Espanyol in a repeat of their Copa del Rey quarter-final clash, which the Barcelona-based team won. Rayo Vallecano kick-off the weekend's action with the visit of Deportivo La Coruna on Friday night, with Valencia's trip to Malaga on Monday bringing the curtain down on the 21st round of fixtures.
Spanish La Liga fixtures
Friday
Rayo Vallecano v Deportivo La Coruna
Saturday
Real Madrid v Real Sociedad
Eibar v Atletico Madrid
Granada v Elche
Celta Vigo v Cordoba
Sunday
Levante v Athletic Club
Almeria v Getafe
Sevilla v Espanyol
Barcelona v Villarreal
Monday
Malaga v Valencia