adminMadrid’s milestone of 100 points from last season.
Barcelona enter tomorrow’s home game against Rayo Vallecano with 71 points, meaning they must earn 29 of 33 to match Madrid’s feat from last season.
After a bad run of results including two losses to Madrid, Lionel Messi helped Barcelona by scoring twice in an emphatic 4-0 win over AC Milan on Tuesday to become the first team to overturn a 2-0 away loss from the first leg in the Champions League.
“It was one of the best games I have ever played,” Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets said. “It was the game that we all needed.”
Madrid host an improving Mallorca today clinging to a one-point lead over crosstown rival Atletico Madrid, who visit Osasuna tomorrow.
Madrid ended Barcelona’s three-year reign of the domestic league last season, and by collecting the most points ever. Barcelona, already eliminated by Madrid from the Copa del Rey semi-finals, now have the added motivation to finish out the season in record-breaking fashion.
For Rayo to have a chance they will have to find a way to stop Messi.
The Argentina forward leads the league with 40 goals and is on a record streak of scoring in 17 straight league matches, shattering the previous mark of 10.
Rayo have been the surprise of the league this season. Despite losing forwards Miguel “Michu” Perez (Swansea) and Diego Costa (Atletico), the Madrid team has surpassed all expectations and their attractive possession-based playing style has them in eighth place, only two points out of the Europa League positions.
Barcelona will be missing midfielder Xavi Hernandez after he aggravated a leg injury against Milan, while Rayo will be without striker Leo Baptistao, midfielder Javi Fuego and defender Jose Casado.
“Playing against Barcelona on its pitch is always difficult, regardless of its recent results,” Rayo midfielder and former Barcelona youth player Roberto Trashorras said. “The win in
the Champions League gives them a boost, and then you also have their numbers from this campaign. We are playing one the best teams in the world, but our intention is to look to win without any sense of inferiority.” — AFP.
Online Reporter