Sporting Gijon vs Barcelona preview - Valdes - Cesc not all-white

Posted Saturday, February 12, 2011 by PA

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes says he cannot imagine Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas joining fierce rivals Real Madrid in the summer.

Spanish champions Barca have long courted the Spain midfielder - who came through the youth system at the Catalan club - and had several bids turned down by the Gunners last summer.

Barca will be expected to renew their interest in the World Cup winner this summer, while Madrid have also been linked with a move for the 23-year-old.

In order to compete with Barca, Madrid desperately need a top-class central midfielder to play alongside Xabi Alonso, but Valdes believes Fabregas will end up at the club where he started his career.

"I can't imagine Cesc in white (as a Madrid player)," he said.

"From what I know, I believe his wish is to return home. He knows the (Barca) system perfectly and he would fit in really well here."

And Fabregas could yet play under his idol, Pep Guardiola, after the Barca coach signed up for another year at the Catalan club.

"I was always confident he would sign," Valdes said.

"It's great news for the dressing room and everyone concerned with the club - I believe he is the best and Barca should have the best."

Guardiola led Barca to an unprecedented treble of Primera Division, Champions League and Copa del Rey titles in his first season in charge and, two years on, the Catalan club could repeat that incredible feat.

Barca lead Madrid by seven points after 22 rounds of La Liga, face Jose Mourinho's side in the final of the cup in April and will be favourites to overcome Arsenal in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Valdes says the mood in the dressing room is even better than 2009.

"The sensations are even better than the year we won the treble," he said.

Following a loss and a defeat in his first two league matches in charge, Guardiola's successful reign at Barca kicked off with a 6-1 win at Sporting Gijon in September 2008.

Now, having picked up eight major trophies under Guardiola, Barca return to El Molinon in the Primera Division.

And the Catalans still have a perfect away record in the league this season, having dropped just five points in the entire campaign.

Captain Carles Puyol is closing in on a return, but is set to miss again through injury, along with Jeffren Suarez.

Sporting have improved of late and had won three Primera Division games in a row prior to last weekend's 3-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao.

The Asturians were never really in that game, particularly following the early dismissal of Gregory Arnolin, who will be suspended for the match against Barcelona.

Sporting were famously criticised by Madrid coach Jose Mourinho for resting a host of first-team players at the Nou Camp earlier this season, when they lost 1-0 in a tight encounter.

Barca had failed to hit their best form at that stage of the season, but come into this match on a very different level.

"It's a challenge to play against the best," midfielder Diego Castro said.

"It's one of those games every footballer dreams of playing."

Sporting, though, are just a point clear of the relegation zone and a massive 39 behind Barca with 16 games remaining.

"We know how difficult it will be," Castro added.

"We will have to be very together in defence, defend well and create danger on the counter-attack."

Sebastian Eguren misses out through injury.