Madrid, Dec 17 (DPA) When the Barcelona cat is away, the Madrid mice will play – against Zaragoza Saturday.
Barca are in Abu Dhabi trying to make history by winning the Club World Cup.
Real, meanwhile, intend to take advantage by moving up to within just two points of the Catalans. Barca are currently five points ahead of Real but have played a game more.
“If we win on Saturday,” said Gonzalo Higuain Wednesday, “then we will be very close to Barcelona.”
The in-form Argentine striker then, rather mischievously, expressed the hope that Barca do win the world trophy in Abu Dhabi.
Real are debating whether to sign a replacement for defender Pepe, who will be out for at least six months after breaking the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
The whites will also be without Kaka and Ruud Van Nistelrooy, thought Cristiano Ronaldo will be back after missing last Saturday’s 3-2 win in Valencia through suspension.
Zaragoza will travel to Madrid in dire straits. They are third from bottom and without a proper coach, since Marcelino Garcia was sacked after last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Athletic Bilbao.
Assistant coach Jose Gay has been put in temporary charge, because neither Bernd Schuster nor Victor Munoz has agreed to take on the job. A good result in the Bernabeu could lead to Gay being made permanent.
“I hope to transmit my enthusiasm to the team,” Gay said. “Obviously it will be a complicated game, but it will not be impossible for us to win.”
Earlier on Saturday, Bilbao will be at home to Osasuna, whilst third-placed Sevilla – without injured Brazilians Adriano and Luis Fabiano – will play hosts to Getafe.
The big game on Sunday sees fourth-placed Valencia away to Deportivo Coruna, who are sixth.
Valencia might arrive in La Coruna in a weary state as a result of Thursday’s Europa League showdown away to Genoa.
Fast-improving Villarreal, meanwhile, will be at home to Racing Santander, whilst Sporting Gijon go to Valladolid, Espanyol take on Almeria, Malaga face Mallorca and Tenerife play hosts to troubled Atletico Madrid.
Atletico are in a group of five teams which are joint from bottom, just above Zaragoza, Malaga and Xerez.
Goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo Wednesday hinted that it was easier for Atletico to play away from home, given all the abuse aimed at them by their own fans in the Estadio Calderon.
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