La Liga

Former Real Madrid player and manager Jorge Valdano has labelled Sunday's Clasico between Los Blancos and Barcelona as "a race of the lame" given both clubs "are going through hard times."

The top-of-the table clash at the Santiago Bernabeu is set to play a decisive role in the La Liga title race because Barca and Real are separated by just two points:

However, neither side goes into the fixture in the best shape.

Despite his reservations, Valdano told Onda Cero that he is still confident in the appeal of Spain's biggest fixture (h/t Goal's Stephen Crawford):

"This Clasico is a race of the lame. Barca and Madrid are going through hard times. Barcelona's recovery [in La Liga] is only down to Real Madrid. It's their bad form that has strengthened Barca's position.

"There are many people that said after [Wednesday's] match [against Manchester City] that they won't come on Sunday to avoid the suffering of a defeat but it is a Clasico match, all wounds will be cured. There are many experienced players at Real Madrid and they're playing at home."

Barcelona have recently replaced manager Ernesto Valverde with Quique Setien and had Lionel Messi involved in a public spat with sporting director Eric Abidal. Meanwhile, both Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez are sidelined through injury, and they could only scrape a draw against Napoli in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday:

Despite all that, the Catalans managed to move above Real in the table on Saturday after they beat Eibar 5-0 and Los Blancos fell to a 1-0 loss against Levante. Zinedine Zidane's side also had a disappointing midweek result in the last 16 of the Champions League, losing 2-1 at home to Manchester City:

There is a danger given how tight the situation is at the top of the table that Sunday's match could play out in the same way as the reverse fixture at the Camp Nou in December, which finished 0-0.

A draw would not dent either side's hopes of winning the title this term, but a defeat, especially for Real, could prove fatal.

Vinicius Jr. has said "everyone knows" Gabriel Jesus pushed Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos in the lead-up to Manchester City's equaliser in their 2-1 win at Real Madrid on Tuesday. Real manager Zinedine Zidane also hinted the contact constituted a foul and said "that moment was key." 

Isco broke the deadlock in the UEFA Champions League round-of-16 first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, but Jesus headed City level before Kevin De Bruyne converted a penalty in the 83rd minute.

Vinicius told reporters after the game: "Jesus commits the foul, and everyone knows it was a foul. They always take decisions against us. I didn't need to see it again in the dressing room. It was a foul. Every game it's the same."

Jesus made contact with the back of defender Ramos just prior to scoring the equaliser, but a check with the video assistant referee cleared the Brazilian (U.S. viewers only):

Zidane, who said he spoke with referee Daniele Orsato about the incident, added in his post-match press conference:

"He said there wasn't anything, he hadn't seen anything, there was no push. It's the referee's decision and that's all. What annoys me is what we did, playing well and then 10 minutes at the end changed the game. The mistakes we made, it hurts, we don't deserve it, but that's football. That moment was key."

Los Blancos went ahead on the hour mark and led for 18 minutes before Jesus struck. They will also be without Ramos for the second leg after he was sent off for a last-man foul on Jesus four minutes from full time (U.S. viewers only):

Jesus acknowledged there was contact between him and Ramos in the buildup to his header but told Movistar (h/t ESPN FC's Alex Kirkland): "Football is a contact sport. I didn't push him. I barely put my hands on him. It's not a foul."

Ramos has been guilty of the same kind of gamesmanship in the past:

The visitors ended up with the greater share of clear scoring opportunities following Real's late collapse. England star Raheem Sterling played an important role off the bench, having a hand in Jesus' equaliser before he won the penalty that decided the first-leg result, footage via BT Sport (UK viewers only):

City became the first English team to beat Real at the Bernabeu since February 2009, when Liverpool clinched a 1-0 win away in that season's UEFA Champions League round of 16.

De Bruyne—who was named man of the match following his goal and assist—praised his team for their reaction after falling behind:

Guardiola described Jesus as "so fast and so good" in his post-match comments but was cautious of a second-leg comeback: "If there's one team in the world that can overcome it, it's [Real Madrid] with their experience and their history. Hopefully we can give a good performance and go through." 

Real have lost two games in a row following Saturday's surprise 1-0 defeat at Levante, and they have won just a single match in their past five outings across all competitions.

City may fancy their chances of advancing to the Champions League quarter-finals for a third straight year after the return leg at the Etihad Stadium on March 17, when Ramos' absence could prove key.

Barcelona manager Quique Setien has called for optimism after Barcelona came back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Napoli in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie at the Stadio San Paolo on Tuesday. 

Dries Mertens put the hosts ahead on the half-hour mark, but Antoine Griezmann equalised soon after half-time and honours finished even:

Due to their away goal and the fact that they return to the Camp Nou for the second leg on March 18, Barca remain strong favourites to advance to the quarter-finals, per Caesars Palace.

However, they were not overly convincing in Naples and were indebted to goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen for keeping the score at 1-1:

Furthermore, Sergio Busquets and Arturo Vidal were ruled out of the second leg because of a yellow and red card, respectively, at the San Paolo, and Gerard Pique had to be substituted late on due to injury, adding further to Barca's squad-depth concerns:

Setien, though, said he is confident his side have the resources to advance, per Guy Atkinson of Goal:

"We will look for solutions. We have lost important players, but we will recover two others—Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto. We have to look at things with optimism. We will be optimistic and think positively. It is a good result considering that we have a return game at home. 

"They have defended with 10 players very close to their area. It is true that we have not generated much, but we knew that it was a matter of patience. It has been a close match, and I consider it fair. We have had control, but in the first half they defended well and took advantage of the only occasion they had. The second half was different; there were more spaces, and we have done more damage. A 1-1 draw is fine for the second leg."

More pressingly for Barca is Sunday's visit to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on Real Madrid in La Liga.

The Blaugrana have a two-point lead over Zinedine Zidane's side at the top of the table, and the second El Clasico of the season could be crucial in deciding the destination of the title this term.

Barca are in good form in the league having won four games on the bounce since losing 2-0 at Valencia in January.

They beat Eibar 5-0 on Saturday, with Lionel Messi ending his mini goal drought by scoring four times:

Real, meanwhile, have allowed Barca to leapfrog them by dropping five points in their last two league games—a draw with Celta Vigo and loss to Levante.

Meetings between Real and Barca are hotly anticipated across the globe and can often prove explosive.

Given how close the pair are in La Liga, though, it would not be a huge surprise were Sunday's clash to play out like the reverse fixture at the Camp Nou in December, which ended 0-0. 

Gerard Pique's fitness is in doubt for Barcelona's trip to Real Madrid on Sunday after he suffered an ankle injury in their 1-1 draw with Napoli in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. 

Per AS' Robbie Dunne, the defender had to be substituted in added time against the Partenopei after an awkward fall. Despite being in the final minutes of the match Pique "immediately" reached out to the Barca dugout and was replaced by Clement Lenglet.

As football writer Dermot Corrigan observed, the injury appeared painful:

He did not need crutches or a protective boot to leave the Stadio San Paolo, though:

Per Marca's R. Aldunate (h/t Football Espana's Colin Millar), manager Quique Setien said ahead of the Clasico: "We will look for solutions, but the Pique thing is a problem."

Meanwhile, the centre-back's team-mate, Sergio Busquets, said he hopes "Pique's thing is nothing," per Sport.

After the Blaugrana loaned Jean-Clair Todibo to Schalke in January, the club only have three senior centre-backs to see them through the remainder of the season.

If Pique is unable to feature against Real Madrid, Setien can still turn to Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti, but if anything were to happen to either of them, he may be forced to use Busquets as an emergency defender.

Per Transfermarkt, the Spaniard has been used in such a role on 19 occasions over the course of his Barcelona career, but he wouldn't be as effective as a natural defender and moving there would deprive the team of his presence in midfield.

A victory for Barcelona on Sunday would be a significant step in La Liga's title race. The Catalan side are two points ahead of Real, so the opportunity is there to open up some breathing room.

It would also give them the advantage in their head-to-head record, as the pair played out a 0-0 draw at the Camp Nou.

Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic were critical of Barcelona's squad planning after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Napoli in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. 

Busquets and Arturo Vidal will be suspended for the second leg of their last-16 tie, while Gerard Pique suffered an ankle injury in added time at the Stadio San Paolo.

Per Sport, Busquets said: "We had Arturo's red card, I hope Pique's thing is nothing. We'll take [the second leg] on with what we are. We're a small squad, unfortunately the planning was like this."

He added: "We are a small squad; we don't have players of this profile to attack. We have to reinvent ourselves."

Rakitic was also asked about Barcelona lacking depth in their squad, per Marca: "Yes, but this was already known to those responsible. The solution is what it is. Those of us who are here are going to join forces because we have a very important game in the return [leg]."

Busquets was booked in the match, taking him to three yellow cards in the Champions League this season, while Vidal earned two yellow cards for fouling and clashing with Mario Rui late on, leaving Barcelona in a precarious position:

Football writer Dermot Corrigan put it in further perspective:

Barca manager Quique Setien was able to offer some hope, though, per ESPN FC's Samuel Marsden:

Pique did not appear to be moving with much difficulty as he left the stadium, either:

Even if the trio are able to recover in time for the second leg on March 18, the club's activity in the January transfer window did them no favours.

Firstly, the club banked on Ousmane Dembele's fitness after Luis Suarez was ruled out for four months following knee surgery and so did not sign another forward.

After Dembele suffered a hamstring tear at the start of February and was subsequently ruled out for six months, the club had to sign Leganes' Martin Braithwaite as an emergency recruit, and he will only be eligible in La Liga.

What's more, the club allowed Jean-Clair Todibo, Carles Perez, Carles Alena and Moussa Wague—centre-back, winger, midfielder and full-back, respectively—to leave the Camp Nou on loan.

Under normal circumstances the quartet may not have got much game time—they'd made just 14 starts between them in the first half of the campaign—but their cover could have been invaluable during the run-in given Barca's injuries and suspensions.

Eden Hazard's injury woes have left Zinedine Zidane playing a guessing game as to whether the player who cost Real Madrid an initial £88.5 million will feature again this season.

Hazard moved from Chelsea last summer but has since been blighted by fitness problems. The winger was out for over two months with a damaged foot, before his return was cut short after just two matches when Hazard fractured his ankle during Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Levante.

Zidane spoke about the extent of the injury ahead of Real's UEFA Champions League first-leg meeting with Manchester City in the last 16 on Wednesday. The Frenchman offered an uncertain and rather bleak prognosis, per MailOnline's Jonathan Spencer:

"I can't tell you. It is hard to say. We don't know if he will be operated on, but he's obviously not happy. He had been out for almost three months and then played two games and picked up an injury. Obviously it is very bad news for him, but I can't tell you if he's going to be back before the season is over."

Zidane's ominous words come shortly after a similarly negative prediction from Belgium boss Roberto Martinez.

Injuries have limited Hazard to a mere 14 starts in all competitions this season. It's a far cry from the 29-year-old's time as a regular feature for the Blues.

Hazard came to Real's attention because of his dynamic performances as the attacking talisman for Chelsea. Los Blancos were counting on his pace, trickery and vision providing the spark lost when Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Juventus in 2018.

Yet one goal and two assists is all Real have gotten for an investment that looks ill-fated so far. The cruel nature of Hazard's latest setback is how it came on the heels of one of his better games for Real, a 2-2 draw at home to Celta Vigo.

Zidane's team looks pedestrian up top without Hazard's mix of artistry and power. Centre-forward Karim Benzema has been delivering, finding the net 18 times this season, but the Frenchman lacks credible support.

Benzema will plough a lone furrow against City, with Hazard missing out, while there are doubts over the extent of the availability of Gareth Bale and Luka Jovic. The pair were sent home from training while suffering from gastroenteritis.

Winger Bale had already been struggling to convince Zidane of his worth, making just 12 starts during the campaign. It's a similar story for James Rodriguez, a player with the flair and versatility to match Hazard, but one Zidane has only handed seven starts to so far this term.

James remains on the outside looking in, while Bale and Jovic are at least in the squad to face City at the Santiago Bernabeu.

There is also a place for 19-year-old Vinicius Junior, who has obvious potential but remains inexperienced at the highest level. Meanwhile, Isco possesses the technique and eye for goal to offer some of what Hazard was expected to bring to Zidane's optimum XI.

On the surface, Los Merengues have more than enough options to cope if Hazard misses the rest of the season. Even so, coping will demand Zidane brings Bale and James in from the cold.

In the meantime, questions will persist about whether Hazard can ever live up to expectations in the Spanish capital. Injuries haven't been the only issue, with the subject of the player's conditioning and weight an ongoing concern.

There is no question a fully fit Hazard can inspire any team. Yet former glories are rarely enough to convince at Real, where the pressure to deliver is higher.

Hazard needs to come back better than ever to answer these demands.

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has described his relationship with the club as "magnificent" amid rumours the two parties are yet to discuss a contract extension. 

Ramos, 33, has a contract at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu until the summer of 2021. Sergio Santos Chozas of AS wrote in late February that Real are yet to open talks over new terms and are reluctant to give the defender the two-year deal he's understood to be seeking.

The captain said his rapport with Real remains strong when he spoke at a press conference ahead of Wednesday's UEFA Champions League clash at home to Manchester City, per The Independent's Dermot Corrigan:

Real host Pep Guardiola's Citizens in the first leg of their round-of-16 matchup, where Ramos will hope to inspire a resurgence after his side have won just once in their last four games across all competitions.

His relaxed attitude over the contract matter suggests the 170-times capped Spain star—an all-time record for the national team—perhaps would be open to considering a move away from the Bernabeu.

Manager Zinedine Zidane told reporters prior to Saturday's shock 1-0 league defeat at Levante: "I always want to have Sergio with me. I see him very well."

Ramos—who joined Los Blancos from Sevilla in 2005—continued to praise the talents of Zidane, with whom he won three consecutive Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018: 

The veteran has in the past hinted at ending his time at the Bernabeu. He said in May 2019 that he intended to see out the remainder of his current contract following a tempting offer from the Chinese Super League, per Sky Sports' Husmukh Kerai.

Real president Florentino Perez said at the time the club had rejected Ramos' request to discuss the transfer.

A move to China's top flight looks much less likely after overseas signings were limited to earning £2 million after tax in December (around £39,000 per week), per Xinhua (h/t Sky Sports News).

Real's on-pitch leader called for unity following the loss at Levante:

It's to be expected that the Spanish giants would be wary of awarding their player a substantial extension considering he'll be 35 by the time his current agreement comes to an end.

Ramos will hope to remind Real of the value he holds when they host City.

Bernardo Silva has signalled his admiration for Lionel Messi and said he would like to play alongside the six-time Ballon d'Or winner amid rumours Barcelona are interested in the Manchester City winger. 

The 43-times capped Portugal international has extensive experience playing alongside compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo, the other most hallowed star of his generation, but he's yet to call Messi a team-mate.

Silva, 25, was asked whether he'd like to play alongside Messi and told SER Catalunya (h/t Goal's Chris Burton): "Of course. I play with Cristiano in the national team, and if I played with Messi, being able to say that I played with the best in history would be a pleasure, but it is a complicated matter. At City or in Barca it will be welcome."

The report referred to rumours in the past linking Silva with a move to Barcelona, whose right-sided winger, Ousmane Dembele, was recently ruled out for around six months with a hamstring injury.

Burton suggested City's two-year suspension from the UEFA Champions League could impact which players remain at the Etihad Stadium beyond this summer, though the club intend to appeal their punishment.

The Premier League outfit was hit with the ban and a €30 million (£25 million) fine for "overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts and in the break-even information" between 2012 and 2016.

The Athletic's David Ornstein said players at the Etihad are "keenly observing" the appeal through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) with regards to their future at the club:

Silva joined City in July 2017 after spending three years at AS Monaco (initially on a season-long loan from Benfica), and he's started in 99 of his 140 appearances for the Manchester powerhouse.

It wasn't long after City's two-year European ban was announced that Silva said he intended to one day return to his boyhood club at the Estadio da Luz:

Messi, 32, has a contract at the Camp Nou until June 2021, but the Argentinian recently allayed fears of an exit after he told Mundo Deportivo (h/t Barcelona's official website) his "idea is to stay at Barca."

Silva has scored five goals and recorded five assists in 23 Premier League appearances this season, though three of his strikes came during an 8-0 mauling of Watford in September:

The Portuguese playmaker could be a sensible option if Quique Setien's side were to recruit competition for the injury-prone Dembele this summer, with Riyad Mahrez also among Pep Guardiola's options on the right.

Silva's deal at the Etihad doesn't expire until 2025 after he signed a six-year contract in March 2019, however, meaning City could face little pressure to sell their player even if Barcelona were to come calling.

Gerard Pique has given his take on comparisons between Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona and discussed the possibility of his Barcelona team-mate following in his Argentinian compatriot's footsteps. 

Barca take on Napoli, where Maradona spent a significant portion of his playing career, in the UEFA Champions League last 16 on Tuesday.

Per Goal's Sean Wilson, Pique said of the two Argentinian legends:

"Maradona was a unique player in the history of football, he went through Barca and Napoli, he will be remembered forever.

"But if you ask me to choose between Leo or Diego, I would say Messi because of his consistency and the magic he produces on a daily basis."

Per Dejan Kalinic of the same outlet, when asked if Messi might sign for Napoli one day, he added:

"You can never say never in football, but I guess that is complicated.

"You should ask him as he decides his future. I would like him to retire with us. I can't tell you more."

Messi has long been compared with Maradona since he burst onto the scene as a teenager at Barcelona in 2004.

Football writer Carlo Garganese disagreed with Pique choosing the former over the latter:

Argentinian football expert Roy Nemer favours Messi:

Until Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo came along, Maradona was the most enduring rival to Brazil legend Pele's claim as the best player in history.

The playmaker scored 45 goals in 75 games for Barcelona, helping them win the Copa del Rey, the League Cup and the Spanish Super Cup during his two seasons at the Camp Nou.

The 59-year-old also played for the likes of Boca Juniors and Sevilla, but his career at club level was largely defined by his achievements at Napoli.

He led the Partenopei to the Serie A title in 1986-87 and 1989-90, the only Scudetto in the club's history, as well as the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Cup.

Maradona was Napoli's record goalscorer with 115 in 259 games, until he was overtaken by Marek Hamsik in December 2017. Dries Mertens became the second player to surpass his total in October last year.

His crowning achievement as a player was at the 1986 FIFA World Cup, where he captained Argentina to their second success in the competition.

International glory has eluded Messi outside of a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He helped La Albiceleste reach the 2014 World Cup final and the final of the Copa America in 2007, 2015 and 2016, but they lost on each occasion.

He is Argentina's record goalscorer, though, with 70 goals in 138 games for his country. Maradona has 34 goals for Argentina in 90 appearances.

Messi's longevity at the pinnacle of the sport is virtually unrivalled outside of Ronaldo.

The 32-year-old is arguably the greatest goalscorer and playmaker in the game's history:

He has achieved those totals in 853 matches for club and country. On Saturday, he netted his 54th career hat-trick in a four-goal haul against Eibar:

Since the 2009-10 season, his lowest goal tally is 41 in all competitions. This season he has 23 in 28 matches as well as 16 assists, having missed the start of the campaign through injury.

A sensational move to Napoli late in his career seems highly unlikely, though. Messi's career has invited enough comparisons with Maradona's; joining the club he is most associated with would only increase that.

What's more, despite being regulars in the Champions League in recent years, Napoli aren't among the select group of sides with the resources to pull off such a move.

Messi stated earlier this season his intention to retire at the Camp Nou, so Pique should get his wish.

Sanse goalkeeper Xabi Irureta has criticised Real Madrid starlet Rodrygo Goes for reacting "like a brat" after he was sent off while playing for the Spanish giants' Castilla side on Sunday.

Rodrygo, 19, hasn't featured in La Liga since January 26 and has been omitted from Zinedine Zidane's last four matchday squads in Spain's top flight. His suspension means he'll be unavailable for Sunday's Clasico clash at home to Barcelona:

The teenager scored Real's second as the Castilla team beat San Sebastian de los Reyes 2-0 at home but was then shown a second yellow for celebrating excessively in the face of opposition goalkeeper Irureta.

The former Eibar stopper told Spanish radio station Cadena SER (h/t Mario Cortegana of AS):

"The move started with an unintentional elbow [on a San Sebastian de los Reyes player]. We'd all seen it, and [I asked him] why he had played on instead of putting the ball out.

"He reacted a bit...like a brat, I'd say. He has a lot to learn about respect. I wasn't at all disagreeable with him about it, and he started acting like that."

Irureta confronted his opponent immediately after Rodrygo chipped in to score an impressive solo effort, and the Brazilian responded by waving his arms above his head to rub salt further into the wound.

Real Madrid's official YouTube account posted the entire Castilla match (Rodrygo's goal begins at one hour, 14 minutes and 30 seconds):

New signing Reinier Jesus made his Castilla debut on Sunday and assisted Alvaro Fidalgo for the breakthrough during the first half.

Rodrygo joined Los Blancos from Santos last summer—one year after a deal was announced in June 2018— beginning his career with the youth team before earning his first-team bow in September 2019.

He scored on his senior debut against Osasuna and later became the youngest player to net a perfect hat-trick in the UEFA Champions League when he put three past Galatasaray in November (UK viewers only):

Cortegana reported Zidane held a meeting with the player on Friday to explain why he had been dropped back to Raul's Castilla team, and Rodrygo was said to have been "delighted with the gesture."

Real hope to steal the edge back from Barcelona at the top of La Liga having suffered a 1-0 defeat away to Levante on Saturday, allowing their most bitter rivals to restore a two-point lead.