Ultimate Guide to La Liga Weekend: Top-2 Clash and Barcelona, Mess of a Club?
Anybody who has visited the extraordinary stadium that is Camp Nou knows the impressive visual effect the ground has: The steep, sloping stands, the cavernous bowl, the bowling-lawn pitch and the eminently recognisable colour patterning, reading Mes Que un Club along one entire stand.
More than a club. It's supposed to remind those outside the Barcelona circle the values, traditions and expectations of the team go beyond the 90 minutes and the pitch and remind those on the inside they represent and belong to something that extends further than the sleeves of their hugely expensive replica kit.
Except in recent seasons and days, (reasonable) accusations and (at times reasonable) counter-arguments of wrongdoing have blighted and muddied the name of Barcelona almost as much as the silverware won has kept it aloft and shining, a paragon of success and a virtue of methods in a game that, at times, looks in danger of being crushed under its own weight in money.
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Much more "mess of a club" than mes que un club.
A treble success last season against a FIFA-imposed transfer ban. The Super Cup, won in August, and the Club World Cup, yet to come in December, against injuries to Lionel Messi, Rafinha and Andres Iniesta.
Now, the legendary Johan Cruyff has been diagnosed with lung cancer, per Marca—not something that might affect those who take to the field against Eibar on Sunday. Will it be a factor for those who really live and breathe the club and embody mes que un club? For sure.
For many, Cruyff is this version of Barcelona.
Something that will affect how Barcelona are perceived over the coming days is the actions of the fans of the opposition.
Eibar's biggest fan group is boycotting the match on account of their treatment at Camp Nou last season, citing ticket prices and the view as two of the big reasons for their poor experience, per Marca.
In addition, Sergi Roberto has added to the ever-growing list of injury absences after being ruled out for a week or two with a groin strain. Luis Enrique is down to three in his senior midfield options: Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano, who usually sits in at centre-back.
While the manager continues to battle those rotation worries, wars continue to be fought off the field.
Accusations by an assistant official that he was pressured into favouring Real Madrid in a Clasico have come to light, reported by Cadena COPE radio (h/t AS), while the club's vice-president Carles Vilarrubi has publicly criticised UEFA once again on RAC1 and Catalunya radio.
Vilarrubi said (h/t Cristina Navarro of Marca):
"We don't like UEFA. It's an organisation that turns its back on reality, and that's led them to the state they're in. It's insane to tell our club members what they have to do in their stadium. They can't ban them from doing certain things in their own stadium.
The UEFA delegate who attended the game came looking for trouble. In the 17th minute of the match I saw him taking photos of the flags on his smartphone. I don't know what they intend, but there is no diplomatic solution to this. We feel cheated by Platini and we'll take our case before the Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg if we have to.
"
There's also the backdrop of FIFA bans and perceived injustices, injuries to stars, injuries to the support cast, ineligible players, fan boycotts, the manager's own harsh tone of talking, claims of a cover-up in El Clasico and the ill health of a genuine sporting legend.
Against all of that—on the pitch—Barcelona continue to persevere. To win. To stay in contention for the trophies that are already theirs. Their fight and consistency, belief and fortitude, resilience and quality—all of that is what has kept players and manager alike at the top of the game this season. So far, at least.
Greater challenges than Eibar lie ahead this season, of course, but the enduring will to win and to keep overcoming barriers placed in their way is—like the club or not—certainly reason for admiration.
Jornada 9
Friday
Rayo Vallecano vs. Espanyol
Saturday
Celta Vigo vs. Real Madrid
Granada vs. Real Betis
Sevilla vs. Getafe
Malaga vs. Deportivo La Coruna
Sunday
Levante vs. Real Sociedad
Las Palmas vs. Villarreal
Barcelona vs. Eibar
Atletico Madrid vs. Valencia
Monday
Athletic Club vs. Sporting Gijon
What to Watch out for This Week
Part 1: Celta's Style to Cause Real Defensive Problems
Paris Saint-Germain, for all the many millions of euros thrown at transfers and wages over the past few years, were utterly blunt and disappointing in attack against Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek.
Seen as two of the four or five biggest favourites for the competition, what should have been a memorable battle of giants with war hammers in attack and oaken shields in defence turned out to be more like a conker fight in the corner of a schoolyard.
On Saturday, Real Madrid will face an altogether different prospect: a team flying high on confidence and ability with nothing to lose. Celta Vigo are joint-top of La Liga, behind Real Madrid only on goal difference, with both sides still unbeaten.
Nolito, Fabian Orellana, Daniel Wass and Iago Aspas: With the exception of the former since last season, they're hardly names that will have struck fear into the likes of Sergio Ramos or Toni Kroos over the course of their careers, but those four have the ability to breach Real's midfield and defensive ranks like no other team has done this season.
Celta have already beaten Barcelona this term—a mighty 4-1 humbling for the Catalan outfit. There is absolutely every chance Celta will cause similar problems for Real's defence.
Just one point to note: Real Madrid's attack isn't bad, either. Barca's front line failed against Celta, but when Keylor Navas and co. are finally bested more than once in game, don't bet too heavily against Cristiano Ronaldo and his colleagues doing the same at the other end.
Part 2: First Sacking of the Season: Mission Complete
Eight matches: That's how long into this Primera Division season it has taken for a club to become dissatisfied with its manager's efforts and dispense with their services.
Las Palmas opted to fire head coach Paco Herrera after Sunday's 4-0 loss to Getafe left the newly promoted club in 19th place with one win from eight.
A million-and-one reasons could be given as to why Las Palmas should have stuck by him longer—he won them promotion a few months ago, they've barely spent funds after arriving in the top flight and the fact they are only one point off 17th and Liga safety would be the first three to spring to mind—but it's rarely a surprise in Spain to see clubs get twitchy at the first hint of a problem.
Whether the sacking will achieve better results is debatable; the bounce effect Las Palmas will hope for from a new boss will have to come at the expense of Villarreal, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad and Valencia in that order.
Quique Setien, formerly of Poli Ejido, Lugo and, erm, Equatorial Guinea, couldn't have wished for a bigger stage to make his mark.
Now, what are the odds on a third manager being at the club by the new year?
Player to Watch: Jackson Martinez, ATM
The Colombian striker has really struggled to make an impact inside the penalty area for Atletico Madrid since joining in the summer, but Jackson Martinez netted his second goal for the club on Wednesday night when he scored in the Champions League against Astana.
That strike, and starting the last two games, should give him confidence that he remains a big part of Diego Simeone's plans and that he can contribute to the team—particularly if they play higher upfield than they have done in certain league matches this term.
Sunday's big fixture against Valencia would be the perfect time for Martinez to start scoring on a consistent basis, with a number of weaker teams to face following that game.
However, Fernando Torres has got the nod to start in most of the big games so far this term—most notably against Sevilla and Real Madrid.
Game of the Weekend: Celta Vigo vs. Real Madrid
Atleti versus Valencia deserves a shout too, but Celta versus Real will be the more exciting fixture and will likely have far more goals in it.
Last year, the teams served up an epic encounter in which Santi Mina shot to prominence in the wider footballing community; Real won 4-2 on that occasion and could well do so again, but they'll be made to work for it.
Celta beat Villarreal—previously the Liga leaders—last time out and could scarcely go into this match in better spirits or with more self-belief.
Real are expected to win every match and every title regardless of opposition, so their outlook on the game is pretty straightforward. Celta only play one way—possession as often as possible, attack the channels, quick link play in the final third—so it will be fascinating to watch how they deal with Real's counter-attack just as much as to see if they can break down La Liga's meanest defence.
Ronaldo's pace will be prominent, so too will Jese's if he plays—this game could spark his season back into life. The other possibility is the return of Gareth Bale, back in training and in contention for the match, according to Marca.
Predictions
- Four or more goals in Celta versus Real Madrid.
- Real Sociedad to finally react and beat Levante.
- Home wins for Atletico, Athletic and Barcelona.
- Top scorers in La Liga, Neymar and Nolito, both get on the scoresheet.
