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Barca begins big week against Valencia

Fri 12th, March 2010

Barcelona, Spain (Sports Network) - Barcelona allowed Real Madrid to pull even on points atop La Liga last weekend, and begins a big week against Valencia as it tries to defend its Spanish and Champions League titles.

Barcelona failed to earn three points for just the sixth time in 25 matches in Spain after a 2-2 draw with Almeria, and Real edged Sevilla 3-2 to climb level on points.

Barca still leads based on its 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in late November, but third-place Valencia presents a test Sunday - just three days before the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 match against Stuttgart.

Barcelona settled for a 1-1 draw at Stuttgart in the first leg and, following Real's exit from the Champions League against Lyon this week, will have a hard time focusing on Valencia - even though it can't afford to drop points.

"We are now in the run-in and every game is vital, but Valencia are a strong side and we know that they have great players. This is a key game," Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez said on the team's website.

"We have to go from game-to-game and continue doing well. It will be difficult but now we have to focus hard."

Barcelona has won 11 of its 12 home La Liga games, but Valencia has done well on the road with seven wins in 13 matches. Stuttgart visits the Camp Nou on Wednesday to complete the crucial two-game stretch.

Real faced a similar stretch last week, and did well in the first game against Sevilla to pick up a 3-2 win. However, Madrid settled for a 1-1 draw against Lyon in the second leg of their Champions League series and was eliminated in the last 16 for the sixth straight season on aggregate 2-1.

"We have to be very careful," Marquez said. "Stuttgart are strong and will be the same as they were in Germany. We have to remember that what happened to Madrid could happen to us.

"We have to always respect the opposition and continue to work with humility."

Barca defender Gerard Pique admitted it was even more important now to capture as many points as possible each week in La Liga with Real eliminated from the Champions League.

"It is true that Madrid will now only have the league to go for and they will drop very few points as a result. Things will be difficult," Pique said.

Valencia also played a European match this week, and settled for a 1-1 draw at home against Werder Bremen in the Europa League. Valencia plays the return leg in Germany on Thursday, as it also faces a huge two-match week as it tries to maintain its grip on third in La Liga and advance in the Europa.

On Saturday, Sevilla hosts Deportivo before its Champions League second leg at home against CSKA, Getafe hosts Mallorca, and Sporting Gijon hosts Athletic Bilbao.

Also Sunday, Villarreal hosts Xerez, Almeria hosts Malaga, Racing hosts Real Zaragoza, Tenerife hosts Espanyol and Valladolid hosts Real Madrid. On Monday, Atletico Madrid hosts Osasuna.

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