Leganes v Barcelona preview: Ernesto Valverde calls for focus
Saturday 18 November 2017 14:40, UK
Ernesto Valverde wants Barcelona to be "alert" and on top of their game when they travel to Leganes in La Liga on Saturday.
A win would see Barca move seven points clear of Valencia at the top of the table and open up an 11-point lead over Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, who face each other later on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
And Barca head coach Valverde is keen for his side to focus on the task at hand in a week when they also travel to Juventus and Valencia.
"It is clear it is an important week given the opponents we are facing," he said on Friday. "We have a lot of games in the run up to Christmas in which a lot is at stake in all three competitions."
Having thrown away the title last season with defeats at Malaga, Deportivo la Coruna and Celta Vigo, Valverde wants Barca's minds concentrated on Leganes.
"Above all as a coach you are alert to these type of games. Last year at these type of grounds they lost points."
It is three months since Barca tasted defeat when they were swept aside 5-1 on aggregate by Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup.
And Valverde warned that just as Madrid have subsequently struggled, Barca too will go through difficult spells over the course of the season.
"Back then it seemed Real Madrid were going to win everything and we said at some point they would have to lose. It is the same for us now.
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"There is no point celebrating three months (unbeaten). Things keep moving on and we have another game tomorrow."
Injury-prone centre-back Thomas Vermaelen could be drafted in for his first league appearance of the season with Javier Mascherano out for a month with a hamstring problem.
First-choice central defenders Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti are both just one yellow card away from being suspended for the trip to Valencia next weekend.
The midfield trio of Andre Gomes, Rafinha and Sergi Roberto are also absent through injury, but Luis Suarez is fully fit and refreshed after being handed a rest during the international break by Uruguay.
Leganes have lost their last two matches in La Liga, but had previously won three of their last five and sit ninth in the table.
Only Barcelona (four) and Atletico Madrid (six) have conceded fewer goals than Leganes (eight) this season.
