Barca back mis-firing Ibrahimovic
Reuters - Thursday 04 February 2010, 11:57
MADRID - Barcelona have played down Zlatan
Ibrahimovic's goal drought as they continue their drive towards
the title against La Liga bogey team Getafe on Saturday.
The Sweden striker hit the ground running after moving from
Inter Milan in the close season, quickly notching 11 league
goals.
Ibrahimovic, though, has only found the net once in their
last nine matches in all competitions.
"He's already scored a load of goals in the league so it's
no problem if he goes a few games without scoring," team mate
Seydou Keita told reporters.
"If he doesn't score there are others who will because we
are a team so we aren't worried."
Ibrahimovic has said he expects more from himself but coach
Pep Guardiola and his squad have praised the towering front-man
for his contribution and the way he brings others into the game.
Visitors Getafe have proved awkward opponents for Barca,
drawing their last two visits to the Nou Camp, but arrive
distracted by a King's Cup semi-final.
La Liga's seventh-placed side lost the first leg 2-0 at
Sevilla on Wednesday and have promised to go all out for their
third final appearance in four years, in next week's return leg.
"It won't be easy but we aren't calling it quits," coach
Michel told reporters. "We are at home and this should help us
to try and turn it round."
NEW COACHES
Unbeaten Barca lead Real Madrid by five points, with Manuel
Pellegrini's side welcoming struggling Espanyol to the Bernabeu
on Saturday.
Real defend their 100 percent home record without the
suspended Cristiano Ronaldo unless a second appeal against the
ban is successful.
Valencia are eight points adrift of Real in third spot and
host Real Valladolid on Saturday.
Two new coaches take the stage after sackings early in the
week with Onesimo Sanchez stepping up at 17th-placed Valladolid
and Juan Carlos Garrido replacing Ernesto Valverde at Villarreal
(10th).
Onesimo has a tough task to fire Valladolid's climb away
from the relegation places at the Mestalla. His club have taken
only two points from five games.
Garrido has his eyes fixed on a place in Europe next season
and leads Villarreal to fifth-placed Real Mallorca on Sunday.
Mallorca have won nine from nine at the Ono Estadi.