Brief news from La Liga ahead of this weekend's matches.
Brief news from La Liga ahead of this weekend's matches:
* Barcelona midfielder Xavi has said their 6-2 rout of Real Madrid in the last ''clascio'' at the Bernabeu should be confined to the history books, ahead of the visit of their arch-rivals on Sunday.
"It won't be repeated. We aren't thinking of another big win," the Spain international was quoted as saying in the media on Friday.
"We are playing the leaders and although there has been a lot of (negative) talk about their play they have been getting good results."
* Barca midfielder Yaya Toure has returned to training with the rest of the squad after recovering from H1N1 flu, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lionel Messi trained apart on Thursday.
The Swede and the Argentine are continuing their work to shake off thigh injuries.
* Real have a one-point advantage over Barca at the top of the table and goalkeeper Iker Casillas said it was a good reflection of how close the teams are in terms of quality.
"I see Barca playing very well, but luckily in the rear-view mirror," Casillas said. "I think this is going to be one of the most evenly-balanced ''clasicos'' I have experienced in my time in La Liga (10 years)."
* Real defender Raul Albiol twisted knee ligaments against FC Zurich on Wednesday and is a serious doubt, so Ezequiel Garay could be his replacement in the centre of defence.
Striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and midfielder Guti are unlikely to feature with minor injuries.
* Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop and Argentine midfielder Aldo Duscher have returned from injury and are available for the third-placed side's home clash with bottom club Malaga on Saturday.
* Atletico Madrid's new coach Quique Sanchez Flores is seeking his first league win when they host Espanyol on Sunday. They are 18th in the standings with the worst defensive record in La Liga.
"We know we have to improve a lot, starting with the defence, but we must keep calm. We are getting better but still have a long way to go," Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi told sports daily AS.
* Deportivo Coruna's Mexico forward Andres Guardado has been isolated from the rest of the squad during the week suffering with a suspected case of the H1N1 flu and is unlikely to play when fifth-placed Depor visit Racing Santander on Sunday.
* English winger Jermaine Pennant could return for Real Zaragoza at home to Osasuna on Sunday. The former Liverpool player has missed their last three games with a torn muscle. Brazilian striker Ewerthon is a doubt.
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