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MADRID. — Spanish soccer champions Barcelona will have to do without both Neymar and Lionel Messi as they try to ensure they finish 2013 at the top of La Liga when they visit Getafe tomorrow.
Neymar had just hit top form in front of goal for the first time since his summer arrival from Santos with six goals in Barca’s previous three games. However, the Brazilian has already travelled back to his homeland for an early Christmas break after picking up a suspension with his fifth yellow card of the season in last weekend’s 2-1 win over Villarreal. With Messi also still recovering from his hamstring tear, the focus will be on Cesc Fabregas, Pedro Rodriguez and Alexis Sanchez to score the goals needed to keep Barca on top.
Pedro has seen his opportunities diminished by the arrival of Neymar and Sanchez’s good form this season, but the Spanish international has stressed his intention to fight for his place in Gerardo Martino’s side.
“When you play less you don’t necessarily feel less important, but it is true that it is a different feeling when you don’t get so many minutes on the field,” he said.
“What I need to do is fight to try and achieve my objective which is to stay at Barcelona.”
Barca did receive a boost on Thursday with the news that Andres Iniesta is to sign a new deal that will keep him at the club until 2018.
And with Fabregas set to play in the false nine role, Iniesta should be restored to the starting line-up in midfield alongside Xavi Hernandez and Sergio Busquets.
Fixtures
Today: Villarreal v Sevilla (5pm), Real Betis v Almeria (7pm), Atletico Madrid v Levante (9pm), Granada v Real Sociedad (11pm)
Tomorrow: Espanyol v Valladolid (1pm), Getafe v Barcelona (6pm), Athletic Bilbao v Rayo Vallecano (8pm), Valencia v Real Madrid (10pm), Celta Vigo v Osasuna (10pm). — AFP.
Online Reporter