Big name departures behind reborn Barca, says Messi

Lionel Messi says the departures of Ronaldinho and Deco are a major factor behind Barcelona's resurgence under new coach Pep Guardiola, as they go for a seventh straight league win at Malaga on Saturday.

Brazilian international Ronaldinho and Portuguese playmaker Deco became legends but left in the summer with AC Milan signing Ronaldinho and Deco going to Chelsea, and Barcelona have prospered in their absence.

“Without Ronaldinho and Deco Barcelona's our play and team has changed and we have all benefited,” Messi told newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“At Barcelona the coach changed, so did the mentality of the side and new players came full of enthusiasm.”

Barcelona, with Messi and nine-goal Samuel Eto'o in inspirational form, have churned out six straight wins to stay a point behind leaders Valencia.

But promoted Malaga will be no pushover though having won four games in a row to reach the dizzy heights of sixth.

It is tight at the summit with the top five teams separated by just three points and Spanish football fans are hoping for an exciting title race after last season when Real Madrid cruised to a second successive title.

Valencia lead the way after making their best ever league start with six wins and two draws and they can retain top spot with victory over Racing Santander on Saturday.

Champions Real are a point behind the leaders going into Sunday's match at Almeria.

All the talk has surrounded Spanish international Sergio Ramos, who was dropped to the bench last weekend after criticising manager Bernd Schuster for using a system that asks too much of him.

The rift seems to have been healed but Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze said it was not wise of Ramos to air his views in public.

“Any home truths must stay in the dressing room because that is the most sacred place for players,” Heinze told Spanish television channel TVE.

Villarreal have their problems on the pitch with last weekend's 4-4 draw with Atletico Madrid – when they led 4-2 against ten men – followed up by a midweek Kings Cup humiliation by unknown Poli Ejido.

Poli thrashed last season's league runners-up 5-0 and the only consolation for Villarreal is that they have a second leg to try and salvage the tie.

“It was a major setback and we have to apologise to the fans for this humiliation,” said striker Jose Llorente.

“We are all ashamed but we have to forget it now as we have a tough match against Bilbao on Saturday which we are determined to win.”

Villarreal are two points off the top but if they are to fight for the title manager Manuel Pellegrini will have to solve defensive problems – with his team conceding nine goals in their last two matches – for the Bilbao game.

Sevilla also tasted a 1-0 first leg Kings Cup defeat to minnows Ponferradina in midweek but are well-placed in the league, three points off the top in fifth.

Injuries have ravaged Sevilla of late but coach Manolo Jimenez may be able to call upon midfielders Aldo Duscher and Enzo Maresca for Sunday's trip to Valladolid.

Atletico Madrid showed real character to rescue a point in the 4-4 with Villarreal last weekend scoring twice in the final minutes but they are a full 10 points behind Valencia going into Saturday's home match against Real Mallorca.

Argentine midfielder Ever Banega was stupidly sent off against Villarreal – with Atletico leading 2-0 – and coach Javier Aguirre revealed he had accepted an apology from the playmaker on loan from Valencia.

Fixtures

Saturday

Malaga v Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao v Villarreal, Atletico Madrid v Real Mallorca, Valencia v Racing Santander

Sunday

Recreativo Huelva v Getafe, Valladolid v Sevilla, Espanyol v Osasuna, Sporting Gijon v Numancia, Almeria v Real Madrid, Real Betis v Deportivo La Coruna