Eibar V Barcelona: Match Preview

13 March 2015 11:43

Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic is targeting an important win ahead of what is a big week for the Catalan club.

Luis Enrique's men face Eibar this weekend before crucial fixtures with Manchester City and Real Madrid which could see them go clear at the top of La Liga.

They are currently a point clear of Carlo Ancelotti's side, but back-to-back wins could see them take a four point lead, with Atletico Madrid seven points further behind.

However Rakitic thinks it would be a mistake to underestimate their opponents and believes it will be ideal preparation for a key week as they head to Ipurua for the first time.

The Croatian midfielder told Barcelona's official website: "We respect Eibar and we will prepare it as well as we can.

"We know it will be a tough game, they are a good team and played well against us at the Camp Nou, so we know what to expect.

"We'll come out to play as we always do - we want to put in a complete game as we know that Ipurua is a hard place to win at.

"There are three points in play on Saturday, just like there are when we face Madrid. We want to win all the games - against Eibar, Manchester City and Madrid."

A run of four consecutive wins in all competitions has raised expectations around the club, but the players are not taking anything for granted.

"It's a long season and there are plenty of twists and turns. The hardest part is coming up now, but it's also the most exciting part! We have to stay focussed and not make any mistakes," the former Sevilla man added.

Enrique will face a tough selection call with the suspension of Dani Alves. Martin Montoya is likely to deputise at full back if fit, but youngsters Sandro and Diagne were both called up from the reserve squad to provide cover, while Sergio Busquets is a doubt with injury and Javier Mascherano could be rested.

Eibar have exceeded expectations in their first season in the Spanish top flight. Midfielder Jon Errasti thinks his side have nothing to lose.

"We just think the game against them is a final for us and we can not think beyond," he told sdeibar.com.

Source: PA-WIRE