Tough tests for giants

MADRID. — Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid all face difficult games this weekend as they return to Spanish La Liga soccer action after qualifying for the Copa del Rey semi-finals in midweek. Just one point separates the top three with Barca and Atletico leading the way on 54 points, but a five-game winning run in the league has brought Madrid right back into the hunt with 17 games still to go.

It is Real who appear to have the stiffest test of all this weekend, though, as they travel to the in-form Athletic Bilbao tomorrow.
Athletic suffered their first defeat in 13 games since moving to the new San Mames as they bowed out to Atletico in the Cup on Wednesday night.

However, in the league Ernesto Valverde’s men have been unstoppable of late, scoring 15 times in their last three matches to move five points clear in the battle for the fourth and final Champions League place.

That efficiency in front of goal will be put to the test against a Real side that set a club record in their 1-0 win over Espanyol on Tuesday by not conceding for the eighth consecutive game.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men have won 10 games in a row in all competitions and haven’t been beaten in 20 stretching back to mid-October. However, with Athletic already having inflicted Barcelona’s only league defeat of the season, the Italian is well aware what to expect in the Basque country.

“It is a very important and difficult game. Bilbao are playing very well and to play at San Mames isn’t easy for anyone, Barcelona have lost there.
“For us it is a very good time to play there because we are playing with a lot of confidence and are desperate to win.” Welsh winger Gareth Bale missed the win over Espanyol due to a calf problem that forced him off against Granada last weekend.

Fixtures
Today: Barcelona v Valencia (5pm), Levante v Rayo Vallecano (7pm), Getafe v Valladolid (9pm), Malaga v Sevilla (11pm)
Tomorrow: Elche v Almeria (1pm), Real Betis v Espanyol (6pm), Atletico Madrid v Real Sociedad (8pm), Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid (10pm)
Monday: Villarreal v Osasuna (11pm)
Spanish La Liga table