Rejuvenated Barca bring new edge

Real Madrid’s clash with in-form Barcelona on Sunday is the most important league match between the sides for many years, according to ...

Real Madrid’s clash with in-form Barcelona on Sunday is the most important league match between the sides for many years, according to goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Barcelona, who have not won a trophy for four seasons, have mounted a strong recovery this year and a 15-match unbeaten run has allowed them to overhaul Deportivo Coruna and take third place in the table behind Real Madrid and Valencia. With five games to go Barcelona are on 63 points, still seven adrift of the leading duo, but a win at the Bernabeu would certainly put the pressure on arch-rivals Real.

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard believes the result of the game is likely to have a strong influence on the final outcome of the race for the title. “There is a great deal at stake for Real in this match, more than there is for us,” he told Barcelona-based daily Sport on Thursday. The Dutchman does not rule out his side’s chances of making a late bid for the title if they can manage a rare win at the Bernabeu. “It will be very different from the game we played against them earlier in the season,” said Rijkaard. “Our morale is high, we have had a good run and we are confident in our chances of victory. If we win this one then mathematically everything is possible.”

Real beat Barcelona at the Nou Camp for the first time in the league in 20 years when the two sides met in December and the Catalans would dearly love to get their own back by claiming a first win at the Bernabeu in six seasons. The match will also provide a chance to see Brazilian World Cup winners Ronaldo and Ronaldinho face up to each other for the first time this season. Reuters

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