Kaka fitness concerns Real Madrid
Reuters - Thursday 03 December 2009, 10:33
MADRID - Real Madrid could be without
playmaker Kaka for the La Liga visit of mid-table Almeria on
Saturday, with the Brazilian struggling to overcome
a nagging groin injury.
The setback comes at an inopportune time as coach Manuel
Pellegrini looks to build on Real's positive display against
leaders Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Sunday, when they were
unfortunate to lose 1-0.
Barca are now five points clear at the top, having extended
their lead with a midweek defeat of Xerez, in a game
re-scheduled because of the Club World Cup.
Real had been boosted last week by the return of Cristiano
Ronaldo after two months out with a twisted ankle, but now it
is Kaka who is the cause for concern. The former AC Milan
player has been training apart from the rest of the squad.
"He has been playing through the pain. He has had a groin
problem and this perhaps explains his inconsistent
performances," Real sports director Miguel Pardeza told Radio
Marca.
"In my day it nearly always required an operation but now
there are other types of treatments which are much better, and
I am sure he will be back with us again very soon."
Pellegrini could rest Kaka with one eye on the last round
of Champions League group stage matches next week.
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is also having to juggle his
squad carefully, with the added complication of the upcoming
Club World Cup which starts in Abu Dhabi next week.
SHAKY PERFORMANCE
The champions face a tough trip to play fifth-placed
Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday after another shaky
performance away from home against bottom club Xerez on
Wednesday.
Substitute Zlatan Ibrahimovic's superb last-minute strike
made the scoreline more respectable at 2-0 and ended a run of
three consecutive away draws.
Guardiola admitted it had been a far from vintage
performance although understandable so soon after the
'clasico.'
"This was a very dangerous game for us right until the
end," he said.
"We became bogged down, we didn't move the ball about
cleanly, and we were too slow. It's clear we weren't at our
best."
Third-placed Sevilla are at home to Real Valladolid on
Saturday while fourth-placed Valencia will need to be at
their best to take all three points from Athletic Bilbao at San
Mames on Sunday.
Atletico Madrid dragged themselves out of the relegation
places with only their second win of the season last weekend,
and have a good chance to climb further away from trouble at
basement side Xerez on Saturday.