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Barca begin mission impossible
14/03/2008 07:48 - (SA)
Madrid - Barcelona must produce one of the biggest comebacks in history if they are to snatch the Spanish title this season with just 11 games left to overturn Real Madrid's commanding eight-point lead at the top.
Barcelona's shock 2-1 defeat by Villarreal last weekend allowed Real to surge eight points clear and bookmakers have Real as red-hot favourites to retain the championship.
"There are still 33 points to play for," said Barca's defiant coach Frank Rijkaard. "Of course the gap has widened, but that is no reason to give up. Nothing is decided in March and we need to fight on."
Barcelona travel to Almeria, who have already beaten Real this season, on Sunday as their version of mission impossible begins.
While the focus is on Real, Rijkaard's team should also keep an eye on Villarreal who are now just four points behind in third.
Villarreal host Real Zaragoza on Sunday looking to build on their historic Nou Camp victory.
'I hope we win'
Real have been top for virtually the whole season after racing out of the blocks and Argentine Gabriel Heinze is dreaming of winning the title with victory over Barca when the two teams meet at the Santiago Bernabeu at the beginning of May.
"I hope we win the league at home against Barca so we can celebrate that bit more," said Heinze.
Real, still without the injured Arjen Robben and Ruud van Nistelrooy, travel to struggling Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday although history has shown that the three points are anything but a formality.
Incredibly Real have not won at Depor's Riazor Stadium in 17 years with the last victory way back in the 1991/1992 season.
"We know it will be complicated to win there," admitted Brazilian defender Pepe. "Deportivo recently defeated Sevilla and they have improved a lot.
"They will also be extra motivated to face the league leaders."
Depor, Champions League semi-finalists in 2004, are just two points off the relegation zone after a torrid season.
Woeful start
Two teams that were touted in pre-season as title dark horses lock horns on Saturday with Sevilla travelling to Valencia.
After a woeful start to the season Sevilla are back in contention for a Champions League spot lying two points behind Atletico.
"Our next two matches against Valencia and Atletico Madrid are going to be very important," admitted Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez.
"After going out of the Kings Cup and the Champions League we only have one competition to fight for and we have to give our all to be near the top of the table."
A Uefa Cup berth is the best Valencia, currently ninth, can hope for although they are in the semi-finals of the Kings Cup and face Barcelona in next Thursday's second leg.
Atletico are clinging to fourth after collecting seven points from the last 24 and desperately need to beat basement boys Levante on Saturday with teams queuing up behind them.
'We are tired'
Club captain Maxi Rodriguez claims the capital side's form is partly down to not getting the rub of the green from incompetent referees.
"We're tired of the referee's performances - they always punish us," said Rodriguez.
"The team is very angry. I don't really know the reasons, but the referees always make bad calls against us."
While Atletico are floundering Madrid's third club Getafe are prospering having reached the quarter-finals of the Uefa Cup with a two-leg win over Benfica.
An intriguing match-up sees Getafe host Racing Santander on Sunday just three days before they face off again in the Kings Cup semi-final.
Racing, who trail 3-1 in the cup after the first leg, are level on points with Atletico as they bid to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history.
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