Barca aim to secure their title at Levante

“We aren’t getting carried away by all the euphoria surrounding the club,” says captain Carles Puyol.

“It’s true we are one victory away from being champions but we need to be careful because there is a lot at stake for Levante too.”

World Player of the Year Ronaldinho echoed his skipper’s comments.

“I certainly don’t feel as though we are champions yet,” said the Brazilian, who scored a stunning opener in his side’s 2-0 victory at Valencia last week.

“In the dressing room we aren’t talking about celebrations or anything like that, we are all focused on how we are going to play on Saturday and nothing else.”

Barca showed few signs of nerves in their classy victory against last season’s champions at the Mestalla, but arch-rivals Real are still clinging on the hope that Levante might cause an upset.

“We are hearing a lot about how Barcelona are going to be champions at the weekend, but I don’T think it will happen,” said Real fullback Roberto Carlos.

“There is a lot of talk about celebrations and parties, but Levante are playing for their survival and Barcelona have then got to play Villarreal who are a great team.”

Real will also face a daunting task as they look to extend their seven-match winning.

The Andalucians remained in third place despite losing out to city rivals Real Betis last weekend, a blow to their hopes of making the Champions League in their centenary season.

Joaquin Caparros’s side thrashed Real 4-1 at the Sanchez Pizjuan last season and with Brazilian striker Julio Baptista leading the attack and Jesus Navas, the latest pearl from the club’s productive youth team system, in support the visitors can expect a rough ride again.

(Reuters)