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E-mail Xinhua, February 17, 2025
FC Barcelona has the chance to go back to the top of La Liga on Monday after facing Rayo Vallecano in Montjuic.
Real Madrid's 1-1 draw away to Osasuna and Atletico Madrid's 1-1 draw at home to Celta Vigo on Saturday mean a win for Barca will lift Los Cules above their two closest rivals if they win.
It won't be easy for Barca, as Rayo travels after a club record run of nine games without defeat in Spain's top flight, with European competition on the cards for next season.
"We are not looking at other teams, we will look at the table at the end of the season and we will see where we are," commented Barca coach Hansi Flick in his pre-game press conference on Sunday.
Barcelona has attacking midfielder Fermin Lopez suspended for Monday's match after his red card away to Sevilla last weekend, while there is also a fitness doubt over Ronald Araujo, who suffered an ankle injury in the same game.
After a week without a midweek match, and with no game in the coming week, Flick has the rare luxury of not needing to think about squad rotation, which means Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha will lead the attack, with Pedri linking midfield and attack, while Pau Cubarsi - fresh from signing a new contract - and Inigo Martinez will play in central defense.
