西甲20

橙色力量

Standing

Top Scorers

27/1 (Sat)

Atletico Madrid v Racing Santander *

Villarreal v Real Madrid *

28/1 (Sun)

Levante v Sevilla*

Barcelona v Celta Vigo *

Betis v Valencia

Espanyol v Gimnastic

Real Sociedad v Athletic Bilbao

Zaragoza v Deportivo La Coruna

Getafe v Osasuna

Mallorca v Recreativo

* Cable Live

[ 本帖最後由 橙色力量 於 2007-1-27  10:42 AM 編輯 ]

橙色力量

MADRID, Jan 25 (Reuters) - With Real Madrid, Barcelona and Sevilla all failing to live up to expectation in recent weeks, Valencia have taken advantage to scale the table and stake their claim in the title race.

Quique Sanchez Flores's side will be looking to confirm their championship credentials when they meet a gradually improving Real Betis in Seville on Sunday.

Valencia had a trouble-torn start to the season after losing a string of important players to serious injury and were 12 points off the pace at the beginning of December.

But the gradual return of players from the treatment table has helped restore confidence and with six wins from their last six league outings, Valencia are the form team in the Primera Liga.

'The first half of the season was difficult but we are now in a good position,' club captain David Albelda said this week. 'It is great to finish the first half in a position that means we can fight for the title.'

Valencia have rediscovered the sort of consistency that took them to the title in 2002 and 2004, but Albelda believes the team can take nothing for granted against Luis Fernandez's side who put Real Madrid out of the King's Cup and held Barca to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday.

'Although they are in the bottom part of the table, you can't relax because they've got some quality players. They've improved under their new coach,' Albelda said.

Barcelona may remain top of the table, but the jury is out on Frank Rijkaard's side after a series of stale performances culminating in their draw at Betis.

The Catalans, who host Celta Vigo on Sunday, have won just one of their last five games and look to be treading water as they await the return of injured forwards Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o.

'We are going through a difficult period,' Ronaldinho said after the Betis match. 'We just have to keep working hard and I'm sure we'll be in better form on Sunday.'

Real Madrid, who are three points behind the leaders, are at Villarreal on Saturday, but once again it is off-field matters that are taking centre stage.

Attention has been focused on Ronaldo's likely move to AC Milan and on the legal wrangling that could bring an early end to Ramon Calderon's presidency.

'It is not good for the team,' defender Michel Salgado said this week. 'The club has to sort out these problems.'

Real will be without injured skipper Raul, left back Roberto Carlos and midfielder Emerson, while striker Gonzalo Higuain and defender Sergio Ramos are both doubtful.

Villarreal are not without their problems either and it remains to be seen whether coach Manuel Pellegrini will decide to dispense with playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme once again after question marks over the Argentine's commitment.

Former leaders Sevilla have got off to a poor start to the year, taking just one point from their last three matches, but on Sunday they will be favourites against struggling Levante who have won only one of their last 11 games.

'It is better to have a dip in form at this stage of the season rather than later on,' coach Juande Ramos said on Wednesday. 'The important thing is to be in good form for the last 10 matches of the season.'

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=404585&cc=4716

橙色力量

原來Levante v Sevilla有live

TAMTOM

再搶分

橙色力量

MADRID, January 26 (Primera Liga) - Atletico Madrid midfielder Peter Luccin insists his side will ignore criticism of their style and continue to grind out results in the Primera Liga.

The Rojiblancos go into their clash with mid-table Racing Santander on Saturday full of confidence following their dramatic late win against Osasuna last weekend, which helped avenge their Copa del Rey exit at the hands of the same team a few days earlier.

That win kept them fifth in the table, but as the sides above them stumbled they now sit just four points behind leaders Barcelona.

``People say we play badly but at the moment you see most football in Spain is a little boring. Teams recognise the need to be practical ahead of putting on a spectacle,'' said the 27-year-old Frenchman.

``I think we are playing well. We usually dominate possession and have more shots on target than our opponents. People have a go at us but we don't care. We deserve to be where we are.

``We are a practical side but one day I hope we can put on a bit of a show.''

The purists amongst the Atletico supporters would hope that means a different kind of show from last Saturday's 1-0 win over Osasuna which saw the visitors finish with seven men.

Atletico had coach Javier Aguirre sent from the touchline and leading scorer Fernando Torres missed a penalty.

There was precious little football to enjoy on the pitch amidst a catalogue of x-rated challenges and it was not only the players who were guilty of failing to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner.

Atletico were fined this week after fans racially abuse at Osasuna's Pierre Webo, and two batteries were thrown at an assistant referee.

``We are on a good run at present but we need to keep our feet on the ground. There are a lot of teams bunched together, separated by just a few points, and anyone of them could make it into Europe,'' added Luccin.

``This weekend is key because after that we have a very difficult month (with games against Sevilla, Valencia and Real) and we need to get the points on the board now.''

Atletico, who are unbeaten in five, can boast the league's must stubborn defence along with Getafe, but will be without Argentinian goalkeeper Leo Franco who continues to struggle with a groin injury.

New signing Fabiano Eller, a Brazilian centre-back, is unlikely to feature.

Racing, who are 12th, travel south having climbed away from the relegation zone in recent weeks with three wins from their last five games.

They were only denied another victory against Real Betis last Sunday when their goalkeeper Tono committed a howler late on, hitting a clearance straight to Francisco Xisco who made it 1-1 with three minutes remaining.

``He knows he made a mistake, and the criticism of him isn't good,'' said Racing captain Pablo Pinillos.

``Everyone is allowed to make the odd error, but we all need to be united for Saturday's game and we are absolutely behind him to face Atletico.''

Racing will be without David Aganzo, Jose Moraton, Felipe Melo and Luis Fernandez.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=203966&cc=4716

橙色力量

VILLARREAL, January 26 (Primera Liga) - Fabio Capello can expect another stern test for his new-look Real Madrid side on Saturday when they go to Villarreal.

Capello is again without a host of senior players because of injury for the trip east, with Guti, Raul, Emerson, David Beckham, Marcelo, Cicinho and Roberto Carlos all sidelined.

Also missing are strikers Antonio Cassano, who has again been omitted for technical reasons, and Ronaldo, who is in the process of returning to Italy with AC Milan.

That means Capello has had to keep faith with the same group of players that have beaten Real Zaragoza and Real Mallorca to help Madrid move up to third spot in the table, one point behind leaders Barcelona.

Although Capello's mix of youngsters and experienced heads have impressed recently, the coach admits he is hoping the club's treatment room begins to clear sooner rather than later.

``We have five players out injured, and we need them back. I think we're jinxed,'' said Capello, who believes Villarreal will be no pushovers despite their indifferent form this season.

``The Villarreal match is very important to me as a coach.''

One player who could be making a return in the near future is midfielder Beckham, despite Capello's declaration a fortnight ago that he would never play the 31-year-old again.

That announcement came in the wake of Beckham's decision to leave Madrid for MLS side the Los Angeles Galaxy in the summer, but Capello has since softened that stance and opened the door for a possible recall.

``He has to be fit in order to make the list. We can't call up players who don't train,'' Capello said.

``A lot depends on his physical form, as it does any player. We are short on players right now, as is Castilla (reserve team). I have to count on those who train. It's all up to (Beckham).''

With so many senior players missing, Capello has again looked to youth to supplement a 19-man squad to take on Villarreal.

Aside from South American youngsters Fernando Gago and Gonzalo Higuain, who have settled in well since joining the club this winter, youth-teamers Miguel Torres, Nieto, Francisco Casilla and Ruben De la Red have been retained in the senior squad.

With Barca and second-placed Sevilla playing on Sunday, Madrid have the chance to take over top spot if they can down Villarreal on Saturday.

Villarreal, who reached the Champions League semi-finals last year, have found consistency to be one of their biggest problems this season, and they take on Madrid in 11th spot having accumulated just 26 points from 19 games.

Manuel Pellegrini's side have yet to win more than two successive league matches during the current campaign, and have taken a three-point haul only once in their last six outings.

However, Villarreal did manage to hold erstwhile league leaders Sevilla to a goalless draw last weekend and they will be hopeful of taking points off Madrid as well.

``We need to improve so we can climb higher little by little,'' said coach Pellegrini.

``We hope in the second half of the season we are collectively more prolific in front of goal.''

To help out with that, Pellegrini this week snapped up Denmark international striker Jon Dahl Tomasson on loan from Stuttgart, and he goes straight into the squad for Saturday's match.

Also included are youngsters Marcos Garcia, Bruno and Jonathan, but, like opponents Madrid, there are also a host of senior players missing with Juan Roman Riquelme, Jose Mari, Juan Manuel Pena, Robert Pires, Nihat Kahveci, Gonzalo Rodriguez and Javi Venta all absent.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=203962&cc=4716

olepoon

目標明確
打敗貝迪斯
等前列失分上三甲

畢爾包

作客就有運行la…
ps,點解我地呢場巴斯克"打比"無得播？

捷克NeVeD子彈

托默森今晚出唔出得
唔得我唔睇了

rob_van_dam

皇馬繼續沉淪0:1

中場指揮官

原帖由 捷克NeVeD子彈 於 2007-1-28  04:06 AM 發表
托默森今晚出唔出得
唔得我唔睇了

後備打左10分鐘左右.

原來維拉里爾尋晚係歷來第一次贏皇馬.

makkaho

原帖由 rob_van_dam 於 2007-1-28  08:43 AM 發表
皇馬繼續沉淪0:1

頭先搭火車睇到
完左場之後成3,4個皇馬球員圍住球證講數
究竟做咩

makkaho

原帖由 中場指揮官 於 2007-1-28  05:39 PM 發表


後備打左10分鐘左右.

原來維拉里爾尋晚係歷來第一次贏皇馬.

唔怪得開心到飛起

熱刺#29戴維斯

原帖由 畢爾包 於 2007-1-28  12:49 AM 發表
作客就有運行la…
ps,點解我地呢場巴斯克"打比"無得播？

點解係打比就要播

橙色力量

MADRID, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Atletico Madrid's hopes of keeping the pressure on the leading pack in the Primera Liga were frustrated when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Racing Santander at the Calderon on Saturday.
  
Atletico fell behind when Racing's little and large partnership of Nikola Zigic and Pedro Munitis manufactured a classy goal 17 minutes from time.

The pint-sized Munitis hooked a clever pass over his shoulder on the edge of the area and the towering Serb striker burst between two defenders before firing home from 10 metres.

Atletico hit back almost immediately, centre-back Pablo Ibanez marking his 100th appearance for the club with his first goal of the season when he skimmed a header into the net after midfielder Jurado had whipped a free kick into the area. The draw left Atletico in fifth spot in the table, level on 36 points with Valencia who play Real Betis on Sunday and three adrift of leaders Barcelona. Racing move up to 11th.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=405176&cc=4716

橙色力量

VILLARREAL, January 27 (Primera Liga) - Real Madrid slipped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Villarreal and lost the chance to go top of the Primera Liga on Saturday night.

Marcos scored the only goal of the game midway through the second half as Real lost the chance to put pressure on rivals Barcelona, who play Celta Vigo at the Nou Camp on Sunday.

Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello named an unchanged side from the team which beat Mallorca last weekend, with recent Argentinian signing Gustavo Higuain starting up front alongside Ruud Van Nistelrooy and fellow Argentinian Fernando Gago paired in central midfield with Malian Mahamadou Diarra.

There was no place in the squad for David Beckham.

The former England captain suffered with tendonitis during the week, but has also been left out in the cold by Capello following his decision to sign for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Villarreal manager Manuel Pellegrini opted for Uruguyan Diego Forlan up front alongside new Chilean recruit Mati Fernandez, but there was no place in the squad for Argentinian playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme, a disconsolate figure in the stands.

The home side had the better of the early exchanges and Mati Fernandez was causing problems for Real Madrid down the left-hand side.

Their pressure almost paid off after 10 minutes, when homegrown midfielder Marcos forced Iker Casillas into a fine low save with a powerful angled drive.

Real hit back, though, and came even closer to scoring on 15 minutes.

Sergio Ramos' cross found the unmarked Robinho at the far post, but the Brazilian blasted his effort inches over the bar from barely six yards out.

Marcos then charged down the left on 25 minutes, leaving Sergio Ramos in his wake.

The Spaniard set up Marcos Senna, but the midfielder drove wildly over the bar.

Villarreal were now enjoying the majority of the possession and squandered a golden chance on the half hour mark.

Casillas brilliantly blocked Forlan and Marcos, but the ball fell to Mati Fernandez, who blasted wide from ten yards out with the goal at his mercy.

At the other end, Real captain Ivan Helguera forced a corner with a powerful drive which was deflected wide by Pascal Cygan.

From the resulting corner, Higuain controlled excellently and forced Sebastian Viera into a stunning reaction save with his feet, in what was the last meaningful action of an entertaining first half.

Real started well after the break, but Villarreal continued to look dangerous on the break and Forlan could have scored in the 48th minute.

The Uruguayan raced on to Marcos Senna's excellent through-ball, but was forced wide by Sergio Ramos and the chance was lost.

Forlan then combined well with Mati Fernandez in Villarreal's next attack, but the Chilean's shot was blocked by Diarra.

Villarreal were beginning to dominate and deservedly went ahead on 67 minutes.

Forlan won the ball in midfield and skipped past a couple of challenges before laying the ball off to Mati Fernandez.

The Chilean split the Real defence in half with a delicate threaded pass which found Marcos and the young midfielder scooped the ball over the advancing Casillas to put Villarreal in front.

Mexican striker Guillermo Franco came on for Mati Fernandez after 75 minutes and floated a clever pass out wide to Jose Enrique.

The full-back then found Franco with a powerful outswinging cross, but the substitute could not direct his header past Casillas, who saved comfortably at the far post.

Real tried to get back into the game and piled forward in the last few minutes, but failed to trouble the home side, who handed a late debut to Danish striker Jon Dahl Tomasson.

As time ran out, Fabio Cannavaro stamped on Marcos and the midfielder had to receive treatment on the touchline.

He later came back on just in time to receive a standing ovation from the jubilant Villarreal faithful, who enthusiastically celebrated their team's best result of the season.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=203962&cc=4716

橙色力量

VALENCIA, January 27 (Primera Liga) - Last year may have been one of the best in Sevilla's history, but 2007 has been pretty miserable for the Andalusian side so far.

Buoyed by their successes in the UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup in 2006, much was expected of Sevilla heading into the new year, especially as they sat proudly atop the Primera Liga table at Christmas with a three-point lead.

But Juande Ramos' side have simply not got going yet and heading into this weekend's match at Levante have taken just one point from a possible nine in the league.

They have also had their 100% home record ended in a 2-1 defeat to Real Mallorca, and seen Barcelona replace them at the top of the standings.

Sevilla also made heavy work of getting past third division Rayo Vallecano in the Copa del Rey, drawing the first leg 0-0 before easing through 3-1 in the return meeting.

Fortunately for Sevilla, nearest rivals Barca and Real Madrid have not been in the best of form in recent times either, and there was only one point separating the three teams before this weekend's fixtures.

Young midfielder Alejandro Alfaro said: ``We have been through a bad phase, but we hope to come out of it soon.

``We cannot win every game like last year, but the important thing is to come out of this phase this week.

``The results have not been coming but we are doing everything to fix it.''

Sevilla will be without highly-rated winger Jesus Navas for the trip to Levante with injury, while Aitor Ocio is struggling with ankle and knee problems.

Also absent is striker Kepa Blanco, who this week moved on loan to English side West Ham, and the suspended Luis Fabiano.

However, Brazilian Adriano has told coach Ramos he is fit and raring to go.

``There are no risks,'' he said on Thursday. ``In addition, there are still three days to go until the match and, if nothing happens to me, I believe that I can be at the disposal of the coach.''

While Sevilla look to get back on track, at least they have the comfort of knowing they are at the right end of the table.

The same cannot be said for Levante, whose struggles near the foot of the standings resulted in the recent dismissal of coach Juan Roman Lopez Caro.

Abel Resino is the new man in charge, and his first game resulted in a goalless stalemate with Athletic Bilbao last weekend.

Although a draw is not a bad result against an improving Bilbao side, Levante really need to start winning matches - something they have only managed to do once in their last 10 league outings.

Resino said: ``The positive has been the hard work of my players, the negative is that we have much to improve on. We play with too much tension and we lack a little confidence.''

Alexis is banned for this weekend after accumulating too many yellow cards, while midfielder Carmelo has joined Hercules on loan for the rest of the season.

However, Levante have strengthened their forward line with the loan signing of experienced striker Salva Ballesta from Malaga, although he is unlikely to be involved against his former club Sevilla this weekend.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=203963&cc=4716

橙色力量

BARCELONA, January 27 (Primera Liga) - Barcelona will look to consolidate their narrow lead at the top of the Spanish Primera Liga with a win against Celta Vigo at the Nou Camp on Sunday.

Frank Rijkaard's side secured their first win of 2007 with a 3-0 home victory over struggling Gimnastic last Sunday, but could only draw their game in hand away to Betis on Wednesday and now lead the Primera Liga by just one point from Sevilla and Real Madrid.

Rijkaard will be without defender Rafael Marquez after the Mexican picked up his fifth yellow card of the season, as well as Brazilian full-back Sylvinho, who will be out for over a month after tearing a muscle in training this week.

Despite withdrawing early Friday from training, Frenchman Lilian Thuram should come in at the back alongside captain Carles Puyol, with Oleguer again filling in at right back and Italian Gianluca Zambrotta on the left-hand side of the back four.

In midfield, Brazilian Edmilson should start in the holding role, just behind Xavi and Deco.

Up front, Argentinian striker Javier Saviola is set for another chance in the centre, flanked by Frenchman Ludovic Giuly on the right and Brazilian Ronaldinho on the left.

Ronaldinho hopes Barcelona can put on a good performance at home following last Sunday's dull win over Gimnastic, when the team were jeered by their own fans.

``When you play well, the fans cheer you, but when you play badly, they boo you. So we'll just have to try and play better,'' he said on Friday.

Ronaldinho also claims that teams are now getting wise to Barcelona's style of play, but remains confident the team will improve against Celta.

``Everybody knows how we play. That doesn't help, but I wouldn't say that we lack confidence. We'll continue to play in the same way. We just need to get our rhythm back and hopefully we'll see that against Celta,'' he said.

With the first half of the Primera Liga now over, Barcelona lead the title chase with 39 points, one more than rivals Sevilla and Real Madrid.

Celta, meanwhile, are having a rather inconsistent season and currently lie in 14th place.

The Galician side started the season with a 3-2 home defeat against Barcelona, but have picked up some good wins on the road, notably against Real Madrid and local rivals Deportivo La Coruna.

However, things have not gone to plan recently, with Celta losing their last three matches against Betis, Atletico Madrid and Getafe.

Despite these results, midfielder Gustavo Lopez believes his team can get a result at the Nou Camp.

``On paper it looks an extremely difficult match for us and we know that we are expected to lose. However, we went to Riazor and the Bernabeu and won this season, so I don't see why we can't get three points at the Nou Camp,'' he said on Friday.

Lopez also hopes his side can turn their season around after a string of disappointing results in the last few weeks.

``We need to start winning games and move away from the relegation zone. The players are aware that we could get dragged into a relegation battle, so we must start picking up points. A win at the Nou Camp would be the perfect start,'' he said.

Former Real Madrid midfielder Pablo Garcia may miss the match through injury.

The Uruguayan has a niggling thigh problem and will undergo a late fitness test.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=203968&cc=4716

橙色力量

SEVILLE, January 27 (Primera Liga) - Real Betis proved a match for league leaders Barcelona in midweek, but they face arguably a tougher task this weekend when they welcome Valencia to the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera.

Barca may have travelled to Seville on top of the table but they are nowhere near firing on all cylinders at the moment, and needed a second-half equaliser from defender Rafael Marquez to salvage a 1-1 draw against lowly Betis.

Unfortunately for Luis Fernandez's side, Valencia are not remotely struggling for form, and they go into this weekend's clash looking for their seventh successive league win.

Last weekend's 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad ensured Valencia stayed right up amongst the frontrunners in La Liga, and they are just three points behind Barca.

Despite his side's good run of form through, Valencia coach Quique Sanchez Flores is aware that any lapses in concentration could prove costly, as discovered by their recent 4-2 home mauling by Getafe in the Copa del Rey.

And he is determined not to see a repeat performance against a Betis side he believes deserves the utmost respect.

``We know that it is going to be extremely difficult,'' he said.

``For that reason, we are being very cautious going into this match because Betis are an improving team and we want to to draw level with the leaders.

``They are an opponent you have to respect. Betis now are in a very dangerous moment because the atmosphere around the team has changed.

``We know of the difficulties, but we are able to come away from there as we have done at other grounds.

``The team is mature and strong and we are going there with this intention; to play a good game, to be competitive, always intending to improve our image and to add three points.''

Valencia's former Betis winger Joaquin is also looking to impress on his return to Seville, saying: ``I would like to score on Sunday, although it would be the saddest goal of my career.''

Sanchez Flores still has his injury concerns with Roberto Ayala, Ruben Baraja, David Albelda, Emiliano Moretti, Asier del Horno, Jaime Gavilan, Mario Regueiro and Edu all struggling with various ailments this week.

However, Baraja, Albelda and Moretti were able to train with their team-mates on Friday and could be in line for a first-team return soon, while experienced centre-back Ayala was laid low by an illness which Sanchez Flores will hope is just a short-term thing.

Betis have endured a roller-coaster few weeks since Fernandez took over from Javier Irureta during the winter break.

Fernandez's first match in charge resulted in a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo, but they were immediately brought back down to earth in a 5-1 thrashing by Osasuna.

However, Betis then knocked mighty Real Madrid out of the Copa del Rey on the away goals rule, and have picked up 1-1 draws against Racing Santander and Barcelona in their last two matches.

Betis now have their third home game in a week, and Fernandez will be hoping his side get the three points which could lift them out of the relegation zone.

Arzu and Nano are definitely missing against Valencia, while it remains to be seen when Edu, Damia Perez, Alejandro Lembo and David Odonkor - who all sat out the Barca match - will return.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=203965&cc=4716

橙色力量

SAN SEBASTIAN, January 27 (Primera Liga) - There is much more than local pride at stake this weekend when struggling Basque rivals Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao meet at the Anoeta.

Both teams are desperate for points in their fight against relegation, with each of them currently stuck in the bottom five of the Primera Liga.

Sociedad have the biggest worries of the two as they are second-bottom and already six points adrift of 17th-placed Levante and safety.

Sociedad are also in the middle of a nightmare run of fixtures which saw them play fourth-placed Valencia last weekend, and then face Sevilla and Real Madrid - currently second and third in the standings - in their two matches after Athletic.

The Basque showdown comes before those games though, and Sociedad may relish the chance to forget their troubles for a few hours amid the passion and fervour of a derby match.

Sociedad coach Miguel Angel Lotina is under no illusions how crucial this weekend's game is for his side.

``The positive is that if we win we would only be three points behind (Athletic),'' he said.

``For that reason, this Sunday's game is more important than life or death.''

Lotina admits he is not contemplating what defeat might mean for his side though.

``Now I am only thinking about us winning the game, and if not, then on Monday we can start the analysis.''

Sociedad drew 1-1 with Athletic at San Mames on the opening day of the season, but Lotina is hoping that playing in front of their own fans this time will give his side the upper hand.

``We cannot complain about the fans this season, because for the little we have given them, they have given us much more, and I believe that they will continue to do that,'' he said.

Sociedad, whose training was badly affected by snow this week, are again likely to be without midfielders Dalibor Stevanovic and Mikel Alonso through injury.

However, right-back Gerardo should be available after missing the Valencia game through suspension, while Lotina will be pleased to have Morten Skoubo and Inigo Diaz de Cerio both back after lengthy injury absences.

Athletic coach Jose Manuel `Mane' Esnal enjoyed a flying start to his tenure at the club, leading the team to 10 points in his first five matches in charge.

However, the team has struggled of late and a home defeat to Villarreal and last weekend's goalless draw at fellow strugglers Levante means they are just one point above the relegation zone.

Mane also has a lengthy injury list to contend with, as Joseba Etxeberria, Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora, Tiko, Inaki Lafuente, Luis Prieto, Joseba Garmendia and Pablo Orbaiz have all been sidelined with various problems recently.

Teenage midfielder Javi Martinez is also a doubt for the Sociedad game after picking up an ankle problem this week.

Mane has warned his side their attitude must be spot-on for this weekend's match in San Sebastian.

``If mentally we do not play the same as our opponents, then we are sure to lose,'' he said.

``Mentally we have to to be at the same level as them, at least.

``I do not agree that our opponents will be more motivated than us, nor that they are playing for more than us. They play for the same thing - three points.''

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=203964&cc=4716