MADRID, April 13 (Reuters) -
Barcelona's Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho is likely to miss his side's
rescheduled Primera Liga clash with Real Betis on Wednesday after being sent off
on Saturday.
The attacking midfielder was sent
off after he butted the ball out of the hands of the Valladolid goalkeeper's
hands in Barcelona's 3-1 victory at the weekend.
The Catalan club, seeking their
first league title since 1999, have appealed the dismissal in the hope he will
be able to play on Wednesday.
Barcelona are in fourth place, 10
points behind leaders Valencia and beating Betis would leave them with plenty to
play for over the six remaining games of the season.
"We're not out of it, even though
victory would still leave us seven points behind Valencia and five behind Real
Madrid," midfielder Xavi said.
"Real Madrid came unstuck at the
weekend and the same could happen to Valencia, even though they look strong at
the moment."
"We have to win against Betis at
all costs."
After the Betis game, which had to
be postponed from March 28 because of a waterlogged pitch, Barcelona host Malaga
before going to the Bernabeu to face Real Madrid.
Real have frittered away an
eight-point lead at the top of the table and fall two points behind Valencia but
Barcelona's players are not getting carried away with the thought of overtaking
their big rivals.
"We just have to win every game we
have to give ourselves a chance," said Dutch midfielder Philip Cocu. "There's
less and less of a gap to make up.
"Valencia look to have an easier
run-in but you never know when Real Madrid are going to rediscover their style
and confidence." |