Barca's Luis Enrique to bring back the heavy artillery against Celta

Madrid, Feb. 11, (GNA/dpa) - Barcelona boss Luis Enrique will recall to the colours his heavy artillery for Sunday's home game against Celta Vigo.

The Asturian coach rested almost all of his regulars for Wednesday's insignificant (following a 7-0 exhibition in the first leg) cup semi-final at Valencia, and was rewarded with a dogged display from the reserves and a late 1-1 draw.

This established a new club record of 29 matches unbeaten in all competitions - not that Luis Enrique was overwhelmed by this.

"These records don't mean much to me," the taciturn coach said.

"The important thing is that we beat Celta Sunday and stay on top of the table - that is what I am focusing on now."

Barca are currently three points above Atletico Madrid, with a match in hand, and four above third-placed Real Madrid.

"Celta have caused a lot of problems for us in recent years, so we will have to be very careful against them," the Barca coach added.

Celta surprisingly won 1-0 at the Camp Nou last season and thumped Barca 4-1 in La Liga in September.

However, it would be almost a miracle if Celta repeated these shocks given all their injuries and suspension - and given that they have a tiring cup semi-finally Thursday against Sevilla.

The Galicians - who are currently seventh - will make the trip to Barcelona without Iago Aspas, Fabian Orellana, Nolito, Theo Bongonda, Sergi Gomez and Andreu Fontas.

Sunday will also see Atletico make the short trip south to face a Getafe side now safely ensconsed in midtable.

"We really have no choice but to win, in order to keep pace with Barcelona," Atletico striker Antoine Griezmamnn, whose goals have dried up alarmingly in recent weeks.

"They (Barca) are picking up points three at a time, so we really have to do the same."

Sunday's other games are Real Sociedad vs Granada, Sevilla vs Las Palmas and Eibar vs Levante.

The big game Saturday will be Real Madrid at home to Athletic Bilbao, who have crept up to sixth in recent weeks.

Bilbao's veteran striker Aritz Aduriz, who celebrated his 35th birthday Thursday, is the main threat to the Real defence.

Aduriz, La Liga's venerable grandfather, has never scored in the Estadio Bernabeu. "It would be great to do that, finally," he said.

"At my age, my objectives in football have to be short-term rather than long-term. And one of them is to score at the Bernabeu."

Aduriz will have to get by without his usual strike partner Inaki Williams, who is suspended along with fellow youngster Mikel San Jose.

Also Saturday, Valencia will be looking for their first win in 13 games, at home to equally troubled Espanyol. Valencia's unpopular coach Gary Neville is desperate to score his first win in La Liga, at the 10th attempt.

Saturday's other games are Villarreal vs Malaga and Deportivo La Coruna vs real Betis, with Sporting Gijon vs Rayo Vallecano scheduled for Friday.

GNA