Roura finds no reason to be pessimistic
Barcelona stand-in coach Jordi Roura believes there is no cause for concern despite two defeats in the last three games for the Catalans.
By FOX Sports staff
Almost a fortnight ago, Roura took his side to the San Siro to play AC Milan in the first leg of their last-16 tie against the Italians in the UEFA Champions League.
The match ended in a shock 2-0 defeat but the current La Liga leaders bounced back with a 2-1 win over Sevilla at Camp Nou in the league last Saturday.
Then, on Tuesday Barca played the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final with Real Madrid at the same venue but it finished 3-1 in favour of the visitors. The loss sent Barca packing from the tournament 4-2 on aggregate and the season does not get any easier for Roura's team as they travel to the Spanish capital to play Real again on Saturday - this time in La Liga.
Ahead of another El Clasico, Roura was keen to point out their recent blip should not overshadow the good work they have done over the course of the season which has seen them jump out to a commanding 12 point lead over Atletico Madrid in La Liga with 13 games to go - third-placed Real are a massive 16 points behind Barca.
"Our morale has to be good, because our attitude is unbeatable and we will win again," Roura said on the club's website.
"It's a very important game and there is a lot at stake. The league is the top prize and a good result on Saturday will be a great step forward. If we are so far ahead now, that's because we have played exceptionally well up to now".
He added: "Against Milan and Madrid we were not as inspired as usual, but that is no cause for pessimism. The team will go on and we'll compete for everything. The players' attitude and work ethic is as always admirable".
"We've looked at the problems we had and they are pretty clear to see. Many of them come from playing against a tough team. We know how Madrid play and now we are trying to improve those things we did badly".
With his chances of retaining the league title slim, Real boss Jose Mourinho may be tempted to rest key players for Saturday's El Clasico in view of a midweek Champions League last-16 second leg tie at Manchester United.