Points a must for Barca

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola believes Getafe must not be taken lightly ahead of their visit to the Camp Nou on Saturday.

Reigning Spanish champions Barca are clear at the top of the La Liga table, but saw their lead cut to five points over Real Madrid following a 1-1 draw away to Sevilla last Sunday.

And Guardiola realises the importance of taking maximum points at home to mid-table Getafe in order to maintain their grip on first place.

“It is one of those games that can cause you to lose the league,” Guardiola said.

“Three points won’t win us the title, but if we don’t get them, things get much more difficult.”

“We are entering the all or nothing stage of the season and we need to stay in shape and form for the final stage of the campaign.”

“A lot has happened this week and the game comes before a break in the fixture list.”

Guardiola was referring to two incidents – the hospitalisation of key defender Eric Abidal and allegations of systematic doping within the club.

Frenchman Abidal underwent surgery to remove a liver tumour on Thursday and is now expected to be sidelined for months.

“As far as we know, the operation went very well and Abidal is developing correctly,” Guardiola said.

“We must thank the doctors for their good work and hope people respect the privacy that his family has asked for.”

“Sports issues are secondary, what really matters is the person ? Abidal is a very likable man and has been with us for some time. We will try to be positive about the situation and hope it has the minimum possible effect.”

Guardiola was also quizzed on the allegations made by broadcaster Cadena COPE, which published a story suggesting sources at Real Madrid believed both Valencia and Barca had been guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs in recent seasons.

Both Valencia and Barca deny the allegations and have begun legal proceedings to sue Cadena COPE for defamation.

“Ask Cadena COPE and (Real President) Florentino Perez,” Guardiola said.

“When those two decide who is right, they’ll let you know ? the club (Barca) has done what is right and left things quite clear.”

“An announcement was made and a claim has been presented, things couldn’t be more clear.”