Madrid seeks to cut Barcelona lead

MADRID: With a recent improvement in form and several players recovering from injuries, Real Madrid hopes to cut the gap on Spanish league leader Barcelona this weekend.

On Saturday, Madrid hosts 14th-place Espanyol and No. 7 Getafe visits Barcelona. The unbeaten Catalans have 52 points, a five-point lead over Madrid.

However, last weekend’s 3-1 win against Deportivo La Coruna that broke a 19-year winless streak for Madrid at Riazor Stadium has fueled hopes it is running into title-winning form.

Plaudits for Gutierrez

The performance of Jose Maria “Guti” Gutierrez in particular has earned plaudits. He was sidelined for much of the first half of the season following a run-in with coach Manuel Pellegrini.

However, his vision, exemplified by an extravagant backheel to set up a goal for Karim Benzema against Deportivo, has seen the 33-year-old midfielder’s stock soaring again.

“Guti has been playing at a high standard in the last games,” captain Raul Gonzalez said. “Only a genius could do (that backheel) and that’s what he is. He’s returned with a lot of enthusiasm and he’s comfortable.”

In midfield, Pellegrini could also have Lassana Diarra and Rafael van der Vaart available as they recover from injuries.

In attack, Cristiano Ronaldo has the second game of his two-match ban to serve for breaking the nose of Malaga’s Patrick Mtiliga.

Raul could form the same partnership with Benzema, who scored two goals against Deportivo. However, Gonzalo Higuain could also feature on Saturday on his return from injury. Higuain’s goals and the arrival of Ronaldo and Benzema have resulted in Raul spending increasing time on the bench this season, a situation he appears to have accepted.

“For anyone, not playing regularly is not ideal but I can’t complain,” Raul said. “For 15 years, I have played in virtually everything and now I’ve spent three months playing less. It’s a situation that had to arrive at some point.”

League champion Barcelona seeks to extend its 20-game unbeaten run. However, it will be wary of a Getafe team which has avoided defeat in its last two visits to the Camp Nou. Madrid is also enjoying a fine cup run, despite losing the first leg of its Copa del Rey semifinal 20 to Sevilla on Wednesday. — AP