Rate it!

0 votes

Sevilla look to close the gap on second-placed Real Madrid to three points as they visit Sporting Gijon. Follow it LIVE here!

The Brazilian will miss third-placed Sevilla's game at Sporting Gijon on Sunday as well as his country's international friendly against Italy in London on February 10 and the league derby against Real Betis, the club said.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola played down the chances of the club becoming the first ever to win the triple (La Liga, Cope del Rey and Champions League) this season and urged his players to keep their feet on the ground.

"If it was so easy to get the triple, it would have been done already several times... but it has not happened," Guardiola told the club's website after Barca secured a place in the semi-finals of the Cup by beating Espanyol on Thursday.

Atletico Madrid midfielder Ever Banega said the players know the importance of beating Real Valladolid at home on Sunday and getting their first victory of the year.

"If we are not winning at least 1-0 after 15 minutes it's possible that the fans will start whistling but we are relaxed about it," the Argentine told Friday's As newspaper. "We will go out and play with patience."

Villarreal defender Gonzalo Rodriguez has recovered from a knee injury and could return against Deportivo Coruna on Sunday.

The Argentine's partner in central defence, Uruguayan Diego Godin, is also available again after serving a one-match suspension as fifth-placed Villarreal look to keep up the pressure on Valencia in fourth.

Malaga assistant coach Julio Cesar Dely Valdes said the club has done well to claw their way up to seventh in the standings but the players cannot afford to relax as the season has a long way to go.

Saturday's match against Athletic Bilbao would be a tough one as the Basque club will be full of confidence after Wednesday's win over Sporting Gijon in their Copa del Rey quarter-final, he said on the club's website.

Real Madrid coach Juande Ramos has almost a full squad available for the champions' match at Numancia on Saturday, with only midfielder Guti and reserve goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek unlikely to be available.

Long-term injured Ruud van Nistelrooy, Mahamadou Diarra and Ruben de la Red are continuing their recuperation in the gym, the club said on their website.

Reuters