Pedro expecting Messi magic for Milan clash

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AppId is over the quota

Barcelona winger Pedro Rodriguez believes Lionel Messi's uncharacteristic La Liga goal drought is nothing to worry about ahead of his side's Champions League encounter with AC Milan on Wednesday.

The four-time World Player of the Year has endured a frustrating month on the domestic front.

Messi has failed to find the net in his last four La Liga games against Osasuna, Real Madrid, Celta Vigo and Espanyol since returning from a thigh injury, marking his longest goal drought for over two years.

However, in the Champions League, Messi has been his usual deadly self with four goals in two appearances so far this season and Pedro doesn't see any cause for concern.

"There is nothing wrong with him, he is training very well and very strongly," he said on Monday.

"His figures are spectacular and when he goes two games without scoring it seems like there is something up. He is always the one who makes the difference.

"Leo is always an ambitious player who wants to score a lot of goals. He looks fine to me, the goals will arrive and even more so if you are Leo Messi, the best player in the world.

"He is working hard and also assisting his teammates, which might go unnoticed. I think he is very calm because he knows the goals will come and everything will be fine."

Messi was the inspirational figure as Barca overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit when the two sides met in the last-16 of the Champions League last season with a 4-0 thrashing of the Italians at the Camp Nou.

And he also netted in the 1-1 draw in the two sides first meeting in the group in Milan two weeks ago.

That point strengthened Barca's position as group leaders on seven points after three games and a win on Wednesday will guarantee their place in the last-16.

The only injury worries for Barca boss Gerardo Martino are in defence as Adriano and Gerard Pique both missed training on Monday.

With Jordi Alba also still out with a thigh problem, Martin Montoya may have to deputise again at left-back with Carles Puyol likely to return should Pique not be fit in time.

Barca's minor worries about Messi pale into insignificance compared to Milan's current troubles as they have made their worst start to a Serie A campaign since 1981-82.

Saturday's defeat to Fiorentina was already Milan's fifth of the season so far, leaving them a whopping 19 points behind leaders Roma after just 11 games.

There had been suggestions that coach Massimiliano Allegri could even be sacked should his side lose in the Catalan capital, but club vice-president Adriano Galliani has appealed for calm.

"At the moment the results are not coming, but in these times my experience teaches me that we need to stay calm," he told the club's website.

"There is absolute confidence in Allegri. Naturally, all coaches are dependent on results. If a coach constantly loses then obviously that isn't good enough, but I don't think that this will be the case for us."

The visitors will at least be able to call upon a fit Mario Balotelli. The Italian international could only feature as a late substitute in the draw with Barca in Milan and he is likely to be supported by the former Real Madrid duo of Robinho and Kaka.

Pedro, Fabregas back in Barca training

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Spanish international duo Pedro Rodriguez and Cesc Fabregas are expected to be fit for Barcelona's league opener against Levante after taking part in training on Wednesday.

"The two players who were injured on the tour of Asia have taken part in some of the session with the rest of the team," said a statement on Barca's website.

Neither player had travelled with the Spain squad for their friendly with Ecuador in Guayaquil on Wednesday evening.

Pedro was not included in Vicente del Bosque's squad because of a calf injury, while Fabregas was forced to pull out of the travelling party to South America with a sprained right ankle.

Lionel Messi meanwhile could yet face Levante on Sunday as he continued his recovery work from a thigh injury that ruled him out of Argentina's friendly against Italy on Wednesday night.

There was more good news on the injury front for the Catalans as captain Carles Puyol stepped up the intensity of his training following knee surgery to remove a cyst last month.

However, the 35-year-old is not expected to be match fit until the end of September.

Pedro, Fabregas back in Barca training

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Spanish international duo Pedro Rodriguez and Cesc Fabregas are expected to be fit for Barcelona's league opener against Levante after taking part in training on Wednesday.

"The two players who were injured on the tour of Asia have taken part in some of the session with the rest of the team," said a statement on Barca's website.

Neither player had travelled with the Spain squad for their friendly with Ecuador in Guayaquil on Wednesday evening.

Pedro was not included in Vicente del Bosque's squad because of a calf injury, while Fabregas was forced to pull out of the travelling party to South America with a sprained right ankle.

Lionel Messi meanwhile could yet face Levante on Sunday as he continued his recovery work from a thigh injury that ruled him out of Argentina's friendly against Italy on Wednesday night.

There was more good news on the injury front for the Catalans as captain Carles Puyol stepped up the intensity of his training following knee surgery to remove a cyst last month.

However, the 35-year-old is not expected to be match fit until the end of September.

Barcas Pedro targeting 100 points in La Liga

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Barcelona winger Pedro Rodriguez has claimed he and his teammates are targeting Real Madrid's league record of 100 points after sealing the title last weekend.

The Catalans were handed their 22nd league crown when Madrid could only manage a 1-1 draw with Espanyol, but they stayed on course for a century of points with a late come from behind win at Atletico Madrid 24 hours later.

And with nothing else left to play for this season, Pedro said winning their last three games to match Madrid's treasured total from last season can be a motivating factor.

"The 100 points are a motivation, an objective that the team has in mind," he said.

"We know that it will be difficult because the opponents that we have left are still playing for things, but we will try to do it."

The Spanish international also insisted it has still been a successful season for Barca despite their eliminations to Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the Champions League and Copa del Rey respectively.

"The league is the most important title in the season because it is the one of consistency.

"I am very happy with the league and for the work of the team."

However, the 25-year-old has been slightly disappointed with his own return of just eight goals this season and understands why his place may be under threat by new faces arriving in the close season.

"Personally, I would have liked to be able to offer a little more, but I am happy with the opportunities I have had.

"Next season it will return to being very difficult. It is normal that in this team they talk about reinforcements.

"Barca needs goals and a lot of offensive contribution. Therefore, every year the frontline suffers alterations."

The likes of Pedro, Alexis Sanchez and David Villa will get the chance to prove their worth between now and the end of the campaign as Lionel Messi has been ruled out for the remaining weeks of the season with the hamstring injury that has dogged him in recent months.

Barca's opponents on Sunday, Valladolid, have also achieved their goal for the season by mathematically sealing survival, but their manager Mirsolav Djukic is looking forward to the challenge of facing the champions.

"The two teams have achieved their objectives, but I have never played easy games," he said.

"I think this is a good opportunity to see how we are in comparison to the best team in Spain.

"We can win against anyone and with our style we are confident that we can win, although we know it is very difficult because they will want to celebrate the title."

Meanwhile, on Saturday the focus is on the fight for the final Champions League place with Valencia and Real Sociedad both locked on 59 points.

Valencia are first up as they travel to Getafe before Sociedad face an awkward looking trip to Sevilla on in the evening.

And despite making up five points on the Basques since they lost in San Sebastian three weeks ago, Valencia boss Ernesto Valverde is warning his side against being over-confident.

"It is a decisive matchday because we have a difficult opponents and Real Sociedad play in Sevilla.

"Both matches are difficult. We are confident, but I would like to control this euphoria that we have. It also isn't good that this comes over us because we could have a setback."

And at the bottom Mallorca could be relegated if Zaragoza beat Athletic Bilbao and they fail to win against Betis on Monday.

Saturday

Getafe v Valencia, Granada v Osasuna, Sevilla v Real Sociedad

Sunday

Levante v Rayo Vallecano, Deportivo la Coruna v Espanyol, Real Zaragoza v Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona v Valladolid

Monday

Mallorca v Real Betis

Barcas Pedro targeting 100 points in La Liga

Barcelona winger Pedro Rodriguez has claimed he and his teammates are targeting Real Madrid's league record of 100 points after sealing the title last weekend.

The Catalans were handed their 22nd league crown when Madrid could only manage a 1-1 draw with Espanyol, but they stayed on course for a century of points with a late come from behind win at Atletico Madrid 24 hours later.

And with nothing else left to play for this season, Pedro said winning their last three games to match Madrid's treasured total from last season can be a motivating factor.

"The 100 points are a motivation, an objective that the team has in mind," he said.

"We know that it will be difficult because the opponents that we have left are still playing for things, but we will try to do it."

The Spanish international also insisted it has still been a successful season for Barca despite their eliminations to Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the Champions League and Copa del Rey respectively.

"The league is the most important title in the season because it is the one of consistency.

"I am very happy with the league and for the work of the team."

However, the 25-year-old has been slightly disappointed with his own return of just eight goals this season and understands why his place may be under threat by new faces arriving in the close season.

"Personally, I would have liked to be able to offer a little more, but I am happy with the opportunities I have had.

"Next season it will return to being very difficult. It is normal that in this team they talk about reinforcements.

"Barca needs goals and a lot of offensive contribution. Therefore, every year the frontline suffers alterations."

The likes of Pedro, Alexis Sanchez and David Villa will get the chance to prove their worth between now and the end of the campaign as Lionel Messi has been ruled out for the remaining weeks of the season with the hamstring injury that has dogged him in recent months.

Barca's opponents on Sunday, Valladolid, have also achieved their goal for the season by mathematically sealing survival, but their manager Mirsolav Djukic is looking forward to the challenge of facing the champions.

"The two teams have achieved their objectives, but I have never played easy games," he said.

"I think this is a good opportunity to see how we are in comparison to the best team in Spain.

"We can win against anyone and with our style we are confident that we can win, although we know it is very difficult because they will want to celebrate the title."

Meanwhile, on Saturday the focus is on the fight for the final Champions League place with Valencia and Real Sociedad both locked on 59 points.

Valencia are first up as they travel to Getafe before Sociedad face an awkward looking trip to Sevilla on in the evening.

And despite making up five points on the Basques since they lost in San Sebastian three weeks ago, Valencia boss Ernesto Valverde is warning his side against being over-confident.

"It is a decisive matchday because we have a difficult opponents and Real Sociedad play in Sevilla.

"Both matches are difficult. We are confident, but I would like to control this euphoria that we have. It also isn't good that this comes over us because we could have a setback."

And at the bottom Mallorca could be relegated if Zaragoza beat Athletic Bilbao and they fail to win against Betis on Monday.

Saturday

Getafe v Valencia, Granada v Osasuna, Sevilla v Real Sociedad

Sunday

Levante v Rayo Vallecano, Deportivo la Coruna v Espanyol, Real Zaragoza v Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona v Valladolid

Monday

Mallorca v Real Betis