Valverde: Winning five games, Barcelona will be champions

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde says his players will not be distracted by their fixture schedule as they target five more wins to be crowned La Liga champions. 

With just eight games to go, Barça host Leganes on Saturday and Valverde says all they're thinking about it beating the Madrid-based side -- not worrying about Roma on Tuesday. 

"What counts is the three points against Leganes because we need 15 more points to be champions," he said in his pre-game press conference on Friday.

"There's no need to think about any other games. If we win, then we will only need 12 points. That's what matters to us right now." 

However, Valverde is wary of the threat carried by Leganes: "I expect to see the same Leganes we have seen throughout the season. They are a team with lots of enthusiasm who are having a good season.

"We won 3-0 there but it was a tough game. They played well vs. Valencia the other day, it was tough for Valencia to win. They were good vs. Real [Madrid], Atletico, Sevilla, Villarreal. They are difficult to beat.

"They're compact, in the style of their coach. It was a difficult game here against them last season. They will make it difficult, try and counter-attack."  

If Barça avoid defeat they will match Real Sociedad's long-standing La Liga record by going 38 games unbeaten. 

"It's not something we're thinking about," Valverde added. "Obviously they're important numbers, but we have to win or draw against Leganes first. 

 

"It's a record which has been held by La Real for a very long time, which shows how tough it is to beat it. But yes, it's nice that we have a chance to do it."