Barcelona in 'good shape' after break
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Barcelona attacker Pedro believed the club was "fully confident and in good shape" after the international break and will be ready for Saturday's La Liga match against Racing.
Barcelona has settled for a pair of draws through six weeks in Spain, but the three-time defending champions are still top the table with 14 points and are yet to be beaten.
Racing enters the match without a victory, but Pedro and Barcelona realize the opponents cannot be overlooked at the Camp Nou this weekend.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Racing have a great team and we expect a good game at the Camp Nou," he said.
Although Barcelona lost the majority of its squad to international duty during the rest, the players are healthy and Pedro admitted "those who have been with our national teams are recovering strength, but I'm sure we'll be ready in time for this game.
"It is always hard to be at one's best after playing internationals, but we are confident and will be at 100 percent against Racing."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Even with the practice field thinned, Barcelona enjoyed good training and will look to get back in form quickly, especially with Champions League games this week. Barca hosts Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday.
Real Madrid faces a challenge against Lyon on Tuesday in the Champions League, but must first focus on Real Betis at the Bernabeu on Saturday. Betis started the season with four straight wins, but has lost its last two.
Madrid sits just one point off the pace with four wins and a draw in six games and will try to remain on pace with Barcelona.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Valencia and Villarreal also return to Champions League action this week, with Villarreal in need of a result at Manchester City.
The Yellow Submarines have lost their first two group matches, and will be all but out of contention for advancement with a defeat Tuesday. First, Villarreal will visit one-win Getafe on Saturday in search of just its second La Liga win this season.
Valencia has fared better in La Liga, winning four games to stay one point off the pace, and it visits Mallorca on Saturday ahead of its visit to Germany and Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday in the Champions League.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Also Saturday, Granada hosts Atletico Madrid. On Sunday, Rayo Vallecano hosts Espanyol, Real Zaragoza hosts Real Sociedad, Levante hosts Malaga, and Sevilla hosts Sporting Gijon. On Monday, Athletic Bilbao hosts Osasuna.