Football: ‘FIFA virus’ hits Madrid

MADRID: Real Madrid are battling an injury crisis ahead of their home clash with Celta Vigo today as World Cup duty threatens the team’s La Liga pursuit of bitter rivals Barcelona.

Madrid coach Jose Mourinho faces the loss of up to seven of the 19 players who went off on international duty after the vital 2-2 draw with Barcelona in their last league game. It is a problem which has left ‘los blancos’ the main victims of what the Spanish press have dubbed the ‘Fifa virus’. One player unaffected by the international break was Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta.

“I didn’t play the full 90 minutes of the two matches with Spain so I’m in good shape,” said Iniesta. “There’s a long way to go, all sides go out to win games, particularly Madrid who are the current champions and they will want to win the title again so we can’t take the points for granted.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 20^th, 2012.