La Liga - Team news: Valdes calls for calm

Eurosport - Sat, 28 Feb 19:41:00 2009

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has shrugged off criticism of his recent performances, but recognised the need for a win away to Atletico Madrid on Sunday to prevent a further erosion of their lead at the top.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 La Liga Víctor Valdés, portero del Barcelona - 0

"We aren't as bad as people have made out. We are still competing in three competitions," Valdes said. "The league is long and the fans have to be calm. They have to understand we'll do all we can to win."

Barca have dropped five points in their last two league outings as Real Madrid have closed to within seven points on the back of a nine-match winning streak.

Barca have appealed over last week's red card for midfielder Seydou Keita who is currently suspended for Sunday's game.

Gerard Pique is also suspended while Andres Iniesta is injured.

Villarreal will need to win away from home for the first time in the league since late November if they want to hang on to fourth place and the last Champions League qualification slot.

On Sunday, they travel to face Real Betis who were trounced 6-1 by Real Madrid at the Bernabeu last weekend.

Fifth-placed Valencia will be looking to get over their surprise UEFA Cup exit to Dynamo Kiev when Real Valladolid visit the Mestalla on Sunday.

The cash-strapped club will be without leading scorer David Villa who is suspended. They are seeking to stop a slide which has seen them win once in seven outings in all competitions.

Bottom club Numancia have lost six on the trot and will be without new coach Pacheta when they host Deportivo la Coruna on Sunday. He misses his home debut after being sent off in his first game away to Osasuna last weekend.

Deportivo are looking to recover from their UEFA Cup exit on Thursday when they were humbled 6-1 on aggregate by AaB Aalborg.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 11 of 11

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  1. Don't matter anymore...go get julio cesar or­ Buffon, You ain't gonna get the liga this year­ either... you have the other two cups to focus on.­ maybe you'll get better chances and plz don't­ be fooled with the 7 pts advantage. it is just a matter­ of time before you loose them. Real is back on track

    From mehdi y, on Sun 1 Mar 3:40AM

  2. VALDEZ AND ITS BARCA ARE GOING DOWN

    From mehdi y, on Sun 1 Mar 3:36AM

  3. Barca need to sign a new goalkeeper and should­ definitely forget Julio Cesar because there is no way­ Inter is letting him go, better go check out Fiorentina­ and try for Frey. And it's high time to add another­ centre back and another left back. And last but not­ least sign a forward. One injury to Eto'o and Barca­ have no man in the middle. Don't even suggest­ Henry, he's on the wrong side of 30.

    From Cris S, on Sun 1 Mar 12:44AM

  4. Valdes : calm down.. if Barca wanted to win something..­ pay me the same amount of money Casillas is having..­ then will I perform better..

    From xxx, on Sun 1 Mar 12:17AM

  5. Barca need to get rif of Valdes and sign in a good­ quality goalkeeper like Julio cesar or­ Buffon,.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From herve, on Sat 28 Feb 3:16PM

  6. Valdez is the worst player in the barcelona's­ squad, before Pinto( 2nd goalkeeper) which is @#$% like­ hell! get rid of both barca, it's never too late!!!

    From vosfodo, on Sat 28 Feb 12:56PM

  7. Barca will win but we can't continue to endure and­ manage an extra defender in the goal post. Pep should­ look out next season for a goalkeeper as Barca has been­ good all this while even without a keeper and points­ are at stake here. cheers!

    From Ilosky, on Sat 28 Feb 8:00AM

  8. as i said b4, bring back Reina or get the Russian­ keeper Akinfeev. MUCH much better than this valdez. he­ deserve to be relegated to bench (next season i mean­ coz both the other keepers much worse than him)..!

    From carlamms, on Sat 28 Feb 12:58AM

  9. Valdes is mediocre at best. Barça need to get rid of­ him and sign a quality goalkeeper !!

    From Tim, on Fri 27 Feb 7:54PM

  10. barca need a new keeper,even keeper no.2, pinto is­ shambolic(watch highlights of game vs espanol in copa­ del reya 3 weeks ago for proof).

    From tonywalnuts, on Fri 27 Feb 6:40PM

  11. i think that barca will win this game again

    From Egzon B, on Fri 27 Feb 5:15PM
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