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La Liga
Mar 1, 2018 at 8pm UK
 
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Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde questions La Liga scheduling

Valverde questions La Liga scheduling
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Ernesto Valverde insists that Barcelona's title hopes are being damaged by the fixture list, as his side travel to Las Palmas three days before hosting Atletico Madrid.

Ernesto Valverde has questioned why Barcelona are being made to play away to Las Palmas on a Thursday evening, three days before taking on Atletico Madrid.

The Catalan giants face a huge showdown with second-placed Atleti at Camp Nou on Sunday, knowing that defeat would open up the La Liga title race.

First comes a trip to the Canary Islands, however, and Valverde is unsure why exactly his side are being made to play so late in the week.

Asked at his pre-match presser if the fixture list is damaging his side, the 54-year-old said: "Yes, this week. Each team has moments throughout the season in which there's less time between matches to rest.

"There are a lot of questions and reasons why the schedule is the way it is. Normally when two teams have a day free they normally play that day. We have a long trip, it's not Atletico's fault.

"A lot of time they play on Thursday because of the Europa League and then they have to play Sunday. I've been there. There's nothing you can do, they're different competitions. Considering the importance of Sunday's game, it's something to think about. We just have to play the game."

Atletico, who face Leganes at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday evening, currently trail Barcelona by seven points at the top of the La Liga standings.

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Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen in action during his side's Champions League clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on November 1, 2016
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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