MADRID — Granada winger Nolito said he and his teammates are undaunted by facing Barcelona in La Liga today.
Report by Soccerway
Despite the colossal task facing the league leaders, with 36 points separating the two sides on the table, the man on loan from Benfica is remaining upbeat.
“It’s complicated, but we will try to be ourselves. If we can beat Deportivo (La Coruña), Real Madrid and Barcelona then it would be a few days worth celebrating,” Nolito told reporters at a Press conference.
“We know it will be a difficult game, but we are preparing with the same intensity that we had against Madrid and Deportivo. “Football is 11 against 11 and we have to play like we have been playing. Barcelona can score a goal in a second, we must try to be brave and outrun them.”
Granada head into the clash sitting 15th in La Liga, six points clear of the relegation zone.
Osasuna can put one spot between them and La Liga’s relegation zone when Real Zaragoza come to town today.
Pamplona-based side Osasuna have made a move up the table in the past month, earning eight points in five matches and have not lost at home in three games, earning a scoreless draw against Real Madrid followed by victories over fellow strugglers Deportivo La Coruña and Celta de Vigo.
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Osasuna held on to 17th position last week with a 1-1 draw away to 19th-placed Mallorca, but they could move up to 16th if they defeat the incumbents of that spot, Real Zaragoza, today.
Defensive midfielder Lolo has been crucial to Osasuna’s recent run, scoring the opener against Mallorca, while setting up the winning goals against Deportivo La Coruña and Celta de Vigo.
While Osasuna and Real Zaragoza tussle based around the threat of relegation should be the match to watch today, sixth-placed Rayo Vallecano’s trip across the Spanish capital to take on Real Madrid will be the premier game tomorrow.
Vallecano continuing presence towards the top end of La Liga’s standings has been one of the stories of the season.
Paco Jemez’s men pulled off a 2-1 win over another local rival, Atletico Madrid, last week, but having lost four of their past six away fixtures, the cash-strapped club could struggle at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The relegation battle in La Liga threatens to be much more interesting than the title race as seven clubs from 14th-placed Athletic Bilbao to bottom club Deportivo La Coruña are split by just 10 points.
