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Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman will be hopeful that the Copa del Rey return on Wednesday can inspire his side to close the gap in La Liga as they face Real Betis on Sunday.
Barca have scored twice in the last four minutes against Granada to come back from two goals and force extra time before winning 5-3 to reach the cup semi-finals.
But they have work to do in La Liga, tied on points with Real Madrid but 10 behind Atletico, who also have a game in hand against their two rivals in pursuit.
Koeman admitted last weekend that Barcelona need to be “realistic” about their chances of winning trophies this season and that the current squad “are not ready to win a lot”.
Still, he was more optimistic after his team’s thrilling midweek display.
“These games and these results can help the spirit and the strength of a team,” said Koeman. “We fought in the face of adversity and that’s what we have to do. Those kinds of moments can be very important for this season.”
After a turbulent few months, which saw the Barcelona president step down and Lionel Messi try to leave, the players appear to be gathering momentum under Koeman.
They’ve won five league games on the rebound and haven’t lost since early December.
After Betis this weekend, Barca face Alaves, Cadiz and Elche, all at home, as they try to increase the pressure on Atletico Madrid.
Atletico will face Celta Vigo at home on Monday, as they find themselves without three key players, Joao Felix, Mario Hermoso and Yannick Carrasco, who have all tested positive for the coronavirus. Kieran Trippier is still serving his ban for breaking the betting rules.
But in Luis Suarez, Atletico are in league form, after Uruguay’s brace against Cadiz last weekend brought their total of goals to 14 for the season, two more than Messi.
Atletico are looking for their ninth consecutive victory against Celta at Wanda Metropolitano.
“Every game is an important step towards achieving the goal we set for ourselves at the start of the season,” said Diego Simeone last weekend.
Before Atletico play on Monday, Real Madrid have an opportunity to close the gap, at least temporarily, by winning over lower club Huesca.
Huesca will return after just their second win of the season against Real Valladolid, while Zinedine Zidane’s side must bounce back from the loss to Levante.
Sergio Ramos is still struggling with a knee problem as Eden Hazard is out after the club confirmed on Wednesday that the Belgian suffered a thigh injury.
Calendar (GMT times)
Friday
Alaves v Real Valladolid (2000)
Saturday
Levante v Granada (1300), Huesca v Real Madrid (1515), Elche v Villarreal (1730), Seville v Getafe (2000)
Sunday
Real Sociedad v Cadiz (1300), Athletic Bilbao v Valencia (1515), Osasuna v Eibar (1730), Real Betis v Barcelona (2000)
On Monday
Atletico Madrid v Celta Vigo
ta / dj
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