Villarreal vs Barcelona - Roberto Soldado hoping to halt Barcelona's title charge

Posted Saturday, March 19, 2016 by PA

Villarreal striker Roberto Soldado is hoping his side can add the scalp of Barcelona to their impressive list of El Madrigal conquests this weekend, but admits they cannot afford to make any mistakes against the treble-chasing Catalans.

Barcelona make the trip down the east coast of Spain on a record-breaking 38-match unbeaten run in all competitions and having won 12 successive matches in the Primera Division.

Having already opened up what is essentially a nine-point lead at the summit - they are eight points clear of nearest challengers Atletico Madrid but also have the better head-to-head record against the Rojiblancos - Barca are well on course for a sixth title in eight years.

However, Soldado hopes Villarreal can slow Barca's charge this weekend, and possibly even become the first team to beat Luis Enrique's men since the start of October.

The Yellow Submarine have already toppled the likes of Real Madrid, Sevilla, Napoli, Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen in front of their own fans this season, and Soldado told a press a conference: "Great teams have lost in El Madrigal and we hope they (Barca) lose as well.

"Against the greats we are competing very well at El Madrigal. It will depend on the intensity and not making any mistakes during the 90 minutes. We can't allow them to feel comfortable at any part of the game."

The former Spurs striker concedes it will be very tough, though, and points out Barca's sizeable threat does not start and end with their all-star attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

He said: "It's difficult to stop Barca scoring, even though we're a solid team.

"They are the best in the world. Not only for the trident, but because they are accompanied by a team who play exceptional football."

Villarreal have only taken one point from their last three league games but still boast a relatively healthy five-point lead over fifth-placed Sevilla in the race for the final Champions League spot.

Soldado said: "We need to finish it off, but with Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao behind us it will not be easy."

Barca are about to embark on a key run of fixtures which could go a long way to determining their season.

The trip to Villarreal starts things off and then, in successive matches after the international break, Barca face Real Madrid in El Clasico, take on Atletico Madrid in both legs of their Champions League quarter-final and meet Real Sociedad and Valencia in La Liga.

Winning at El Madrigal would be a great start for the league leaders, but Villarreal defender Manu Trigueros, who came up through the youth ranks at Barca, does not believe that would signal the end of the title race.

He told www.fcbarcelona.es: "There are still lots of games to play. Even if they win in El Madrigal the league is still open and Barca cannot become complacent."