Barcelona boss Tata Martino has insisted there is no room for any more slip-ups as his table-topping team prepares to welcome Valencia to the Nou Camp.
The reigning Spanish champions are ahead of Atletico Madrid only on goal difference, with Real Madrid poised to take advantage of any slip-ups just one point behind, and it seems certain that every dropped point will be crucial over the remainder of the La Liga title race.
Martino’s side bounced back from two consecutive draws by beating Malaga 3-0 last weekend, and he had a simple message for them ahead of today’s meeting with Valencia: keep on winning.
“At this stage of the season we will pay a very high price for any mistakes and we can’t afford to neglect anything,” he said. “There is no more margin for error.
“This game against Valencia is just as important as a Copa del Rey semi-final or a Champions League knock-out tie.”
Star forward Lionel Messi will be hoping to get back onto the scoresheet after a three-match barren run – although he has provided four assists during that period.
Martino is unconcerned about his compatriot’s unusual shyness in front of goal, preferring to focus on the fact that wingers Pedro and Alexis Sanchez are both in excellent scoring form, having registered 12 league goals apiece so far this season.
“The biggest benefit we’re receiving from so many players scoring is that Leo doesn’t have to carry all the responsibility,” noted Martino. “It’s a positive because it lifts the spirits of all the players.”
And he doesn’t believe Messi’s lack of goals has resulted from a lack of confidence or a different mindset following his recent return from injury, saying: “I don’t think when Messi scores goals, he’s only thinking about scoring – and the same vice-versa. Players who have the capability of doing everything don’t discard any aspect of the game.”
With the exception of the injured Neymar, whose recovery is on course for a return ahead of the Champions League meeting with Manchester City, Martino has a full squad to select from.
One player omitted is defender Carles Puyol, who scored his first goal for more than a year in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey victory over Levante but is rested for this game.
Valencia, managed by former Barca striker Juan Antonio Pizzi, could hand a debut to ex-Nou Camp star Seydou Keita, who yesterday completed a transfer from Chinese side Dalian Aerbin
