• Real Madrid's José Mourinho again snubs media call
• Piqué set to return while Sánchez is expected to be fit
Barcelona's chances of retaining their La Liga crown rely on them beating the leaders Real Madrid in el clásico at the Camp Nou on Saturday, their midfielder Xavi has said. José Mourinho's Real hold a four-point lead with five games left to play.
"If Barça win we will continue to have options in this league and if we lose, well, Madrid will have wrapped it up, so it is all or nothing," the Spain international told Gol television.
Barça's Chilean striker Alexis Sánchez is expected to recover from a knock to his thigh and be available, while the defender Gerard Piqué could return to the defence after sitting out the Champions League semi-final first-leg defeat to Chelsea.
Mourinho sent out his No2 Aitor Karanka to speak to the local media again on Friday, as he continued to snub the habitual pre-league match news conferences. Karanka played down the significance of the encounter.
"They are three important points because they are against a direct rival, but there are four games left after that whether we draw, win or lose," he said. "We have all 24 members of the squad available and we are delighted." Read More
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.
