Rain kings Barca stay on course for 100 points

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona celebrated lifting the La Liga trophy for a 22nd time with a 2-1 win over Valladolid on Sunday at a rain-lashed Camp Nou.

The wet conditions resulted in the lowest attendance for a Barca home league match this season as only 56,055 filled the 99,354 capacity ground.

However, first-half goals from Pedro Rodriguez and into his own net from Marc Valiente were enough to keep the champions on track to match Real Madrid's league record of 100 points before Victor Perez's penalty halved the deficit a minute from time.

Given the injuries to Lionel Messi and Dani Alves, Barca boss Tito Vilanova sent out about as strong a starting line-up as he could with Victor Valdes and Javier Mascherano returning after a number of weeks out through injury.

However, given the stormy conditions and general lack of atmosphere, it took some time for Barca to get going.

They did manage to make the breakthrough with virtually their first clear opening on 20 minutes though as Xavi recovered possession in midfield and surged forward before feeding Pedro and his low shot slipped under Jaime Jimenez who ought to have done better to keep it out.

Oscar Gonzalez then wasted a decent opening to get the visitors back into the game at the other end, but he dribbled a disappointing effort into Valdes' arms from range when he seemed to have a clear run on goal.

Andres Iniesta saw a deflected effort loop just over as Barca began to up the tempo with their short passing game before the break, but their second goal arrived in somewhat fortunate circumstances as the wet conditions contributed to Valiente slicing Xavi's corner into his own net.

Xavi tested Jaime with a low skidding effort that the keeper handled well with the first effort of the second period and Pedro really ought to have registered his second of the evening when he blasted over from Cesc Fabregas' cut-back just after the hour mark.

Jaime then made fine saves from Martin Montoya and David Villa to keep the score down, whilst Pedro failed to hit the target with another guilt-edged opportunity nine minutes from time.

Valladolid were handed a consolation in the 89th minute when with practically their first attack of the second-half Montoya brought down Manucho inside the area and Perez converted the resulting penalty.

Vilanova wants 100 points for Barca

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova is hoping the target of matching Real Madrid's league record 100 points will keep his players motivated when the host Valladolid on Sunday.

The Catalans sealed their fourth title in five years last weekend, but can reach a century of points should they win their remaining three games and Vilanova wants to finish the campaign strongly.

"We have taken 91 points, which is a lot. We know we have the opportunity to get 100 and we will play the three games to win them," he told a press conference on Saturday.

"We can't just let it go, that is the only thing I wouldn't like. We owe it to the fans and we need to finish the year well."

Barca have endured an up and down season with the joy of the title tempered by their humiliation to Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League, but Vilanova once again stressed that he believes his first season in charge has been an overall success.

"The fans are happy with the league. We have led from the first game to the last.

"It was important to recapture the league. The cycle which they said was ending, in the end has ended with a league, so for Barca I want to say that is has been a good season."

Victor Valdes has been passed fit to return against Valladolid in what could be his penultimate game as a Barca player at the Camp Nou with speculation linking the Spanish international with a move away at the end of the season after he said he wouldn't be renewing his contract which ends in 2014.

Javier Mascherano also returns to the squad after six weeks out, but Lionel Messi will not play again this season due to his hamstring injury.

Despite the tiredness they have shown in recent weeks, a number of Barca's Spanish internationals are likely to be called up for the Confederations Cup when Vicente del Bosque names his squad on the 27th of this month.

And although Vilanova admits he would prefer them to be rested, he accepts Del Bosque's intention to take the best squad available to him to Brazil in June.

"Personally, I would like for them to rest, but I understand that they will go. The national team manager wants to count on the best players."

Barcas Pedro targeting 100 points in La Liga

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

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

Rain kings Barca stay on course for 100 points

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona celebrated lifting the La Liga trophy for a 22nd time with a 2-1 win over Valladolid on Sunday at a rain-lashed Camp Nou.

The wet conditions resulted in the lowest attendance for a Barca home league match this season as only 56,055 filled the 99,354 capacity ground.

However, first-half goals from Pedro Rodriguez and into his own net from Marc Valiente were enough to keep the champions on track to match Real Madrid's league record of 100 points before Victor Perez's penalty halved the deficit a minute from time.

Given the injuries to Lionel Messi and Dani Alves, Barca boss Tito Vilanova sent out about as strong a starting line-up as he could with Victor Valdes and Javier Mascherano returning after a number of weeks out through injury.

However, given the stormy conditions and general lack of atmosphere, it took some time for Barca to get going.

They did manage to make the breakthrough with virtually their first clear opening on 20 minutes though as Xavi recovered possession in midfield and surged forward before feeding Pedro and his low shot slipped under Jaime Jimenez who ought to have done better to keep it out.

Oscar Gonzalez then wasted a decent opening to get the visitors back into the game at the other end, but he dribbled a disappointing effort into Valdes' arms from range when he seemed to have a clear run on goal.

Andres Iniesta saw a deflected effort loop just over as Barca began to up the tempo with their short passing game before the break, but their second goal arrived in somewhat fortunate circumstances as the wet conditions contributed to Valiente slicing Xavi's corner into his own net.

Xavi tested Jaime with a low skidding effort that the keeper handled well with the first effort of the second period and Pedro really ought to have registered his second of the evening when he blasted over from Cesc Fabregas' cut-back just after the hour mark.

Jaime then made fine saves from Martin Montoya and David Villa to keep the score down, whilst Pedro failed to hit the target with another guilt-edged opportunity nine minutes from time.

Valladolid were handed a consolation in the 89th minute when with practically their first attack of the second-half Montoya brought down Manucho inside the area and Perez converted the resulting penalty.

Vilanova wants 100 points for Barca

Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova is hoping the target of matching Real Madrid's league record 100 points will keep his players motivated when the host Valladolid on Sunday.

The Catalans sealed their fourth title in five years last weekend, but can reach a century of points should they win their remaining three games and Vilanova wants to finish the campaign strongly.

"We have taken 91 points, which is a lot. We know we have the opportunity to get 100 and we will play the three games to win them," he told a press conference on Saturday.

"We can't just let it go, that is the only thing I wouldn't like. We owe it to the fans and we need to finish the year well."

Barca have endured an up and down season with the joy of the title tempered by their humiliation to Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League, but Vilanova once again stressed that he believes his first season in charge has been an overall success.

"The fans are happy with the league. We have led from the first game to the last.

"It was important to recapture the league. The cycle which they said was ending, in the end has ended with a league, so for Barca I want to say that is has been a good season."

Victor Valdes has been passed fit to return against Valladolid in what could be his penultimate game as a Barca player at the Camp Nou with speculation linking the Spanish international with a move away at the end of the season after he said he wouldn't be renewing his contract which ends in 2014.

Javier Mascherano also returns to the squad after six weeks out, but Lionel Messi will not play again this season due to his hamstring injury.

Despite the tiredness they have shown in recent weeks, a number of Barca's Spanish internationals are likely to be called up for the Confederations Cup when Vicente del Bosque names his squad on the 27th of this month.

And although Vilanova admits he would prefer them to be rested, he accepts Del Bosque's intention to take the best squad available to him to Brazil in June.

"Personally, I would like for them to rest, but I understand that they will go. The national team manager wants to count on the best players."

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