BARCELONA, Spain (AP) 鈥� After Federico Valverde single-handedly got Real Madrid back in Champions League domination mode with his , the 15-time European Cup winner must take a brief dip back into La Liga this weekend.
Valverde鈥檚 memorable three-goal first-half explosion on Wednesday fueled a and coach Pep Guardiola, a nemesis of Madrid from his years in charge of the best Barcelona squads.
The treble by Valverde came after his last-gasp goal snatched Madrid a in the Spanish league鈥檚 previous round.
Now Madrid must refocus, albeit it just for a game, on the domestic competition where it has struggled of late and trails leader Barcelona by four points after 27 of 38 rounds.
脕lvaro Arbeloa鈥檚 side hosts Elche on Saturday, then three days later heads to England to try and finish off City and advance to the Champions League quarterfinals.
Barcelona hosts Sevilla on Sunday.
Key matches
While Elche looks like easy pickings for Madrid, the small southern club did hold the powerhouse to at home in November.
Elche was in eighth place just two months ago but has plummeted to 17th and the edge of the relegation zone.
Prior to that Valverde-inspired win at Celta, Madrid lost twice in the league to Getafe at home and away at Osasuna.
Barcelona will also be looking to avenge a 4-1 loss at Sevilla in October, its worst defeat in the league this campaign. In that loss, Barcelona was without injured attackers Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.
Players to watch
Valverde has emerged as the leader of an injury-hit Madrid. All six of his goals this season have come since January with Kylian Mbapp茅 and Jude Bellingham both injured.
Yamal is also in fine form for Barcelona. The 18-year-old has seven goals over his last seven La Liga appearances, and he converted a pressure-filled penalty to salvage a 1-1 draw at Newcastle in the Champions League round-of-16 on Tuesday.
Out of action
Mbapp茅 hasn鈥檛 played since Feb. 21 because of a knee problem and remains a doubt for Madrid, which is also missing Bellingham and 脡der Milit茫o, out with a long-term injury.
Barcelona鈥檚 injured list includes starting full backs Jules Kound茅 and Alejandro Balde.
Off the field
Barcelona will hold an on Sunday, when incumbent Joan Laporta seeks another five-year term.
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