BSP-08 Messi and Coutinho create Barcelona dilemma for Valverde

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Messi and Coutinho create Barcelona dilemma for Valverde

MADRID, Feb 15, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Barcelona will hope to reassert their
authority in the title race on Saturday after a stuttering spell has given
Real Madrid fresh hope in La Liga.

Here, AFP Sport looks at five talking points ahead of round 24.

Coutinho form a concern

When Ousmane Dembele injured his ankle in January, the door was open for
Philippe Coutinho to make his mark at Barca. Instead, he has delivered a
series of jaded performances that have left some even questioning his long-
term future.

With Dembele now fit again, it remains to be seen whether the Brazilian
starts on Saturday against Real Valladolid. Ernesto Valverde has said he
appreciates that Coutinho is a player that takes risks but there has been a
lack of confidence and clarity in his play that suggests he is still not sure
what his job is.

Messi fitness in spotlight

Lionel Messi came off the bench against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey
and then started in the draw at home to Athletic Bilbao but in neither game
was he fully fit.

A clear week may have given Messi time to shake off his niggling thigh
strain but Valverde has another decision to make this weekend, particularly
with the first leg against Lyon in the Champions League to come on Tuesday.

Valverde was blamed for burning out key players last season, to the
detriment of their chances in Europe. But three draws in a row, and Real’s
resurgence, means he cannot let the momentum drain further.

Vinicius leads firing Madrid attack

“He showed how good he can be,” said Ajax coach Erik Ten Hag, after
Vinicius Junior had just terrorised his defence in Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat to
Real Madrid.

Vinicius’ performances have tended to follow a similar pattern, with his
tender age often showing itself in erratic decision-making and over-eagness.
But scattered in between are the electric moments that have made the striker
one of the first names on the teamsheet in recent weeks.

At some point, Santiago Solari may feel the 18-year-old needs a break in
this, his debut season. Even so, his form seems too good to interrupt, even
if there is plenty of depth now that Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio are back
from injury, not to mention Lucas Vazquez, who has been a staple under
Solari. Madrid have options, just when they need them.

Simeone with challenges to face

Atletico Madrid announced on Thursday that Diego Simeone had extended his
contract as coach until 2022 and few could argue the Argentinian committing
his future is not excellent news for the club.

But two La Liga defeats on the bounce, to Real Betis and Real Madrid, have
placed doubts over the seriousness of their title challenge.

Diego Costa could be back from injury for the trip to Rayo Vallecano on
Saturday, which would help, but Atleti have scored almost half as many goals
as Barcelona in the league, a deficit difficult to cover no matter how tight
the defence.

Race for top four heats up

Sevilla were top of the table in November but now find themselves leading
an increasingly scrunched group of challengers for the last Champions League
qualification spot.

Two points behind Sevilla are Getafe, who have the second best defence in
the division, and they are only ahead of Alaves on goal difference. Betis
will feel they are in the race, sitting only five points off fourth in
seventh, and so too will Valencia, one point beneath them.

None of the chasing pack have been consistent since the turn of the year
and it might come down to those that have the fewest distractions. Sevilla
and Betis are both involved in the Europa League, with Betis also in the
semi-final of the Copa del Rey, their opponents Valencia.

Fixtures (times GMT)

Friday

Eibar v Getafe (2000)

Saturday

Celta Vigo v Levante (1200), Rayo Vallecano v Atletico Madrid (1515), Real
Sociedad v Leganes (1730), Barcelona v Real Valladolid (1945)

Sunday

Real Madrid v Girona (1200), Valencia v Espanyol (1515), Villarreal v
Sevilla (1730), Real Betis v Alaves (1945)

Monday

Huesca v Athletic Bilbao (2000)

BSS/AFP/BZC/2015HRS