Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde questions La Liga scheduling

Ernesto Valverde has questioned why Barcelona are being made to play away to Las Palmas on a Thursday evening, three days before taking on Atletico Madrid.

The Catalan giants face a huge showdown with second-placed Atleti at Camp Nou on Sunday, knowing that defeat would open up the La Liga title race.

First comes a trip to the Canary Islands, however, and Valverde is unsure why exactly his side are being made to play so late in the week.

Asked at his pre-match presser if the fixture list is damaging his side, the 54-year-old said: "Yes, this week. Each team has moments throughout the season in which there's less time between matches to rest.

"There are a lot of questions and reasons why the schedule is the way it is. Normally when two teams have a day free they normally play that day. We have a long trip, it's not Atletico's fault.

"A lot of time they play on Thursday because of the Europa League and then they have to play Sunday. I've been there. There's nothing you can do, they're different competitions. Considering the importance of Sunday's game, it's something to think about. We just have to play the game."

Atletico, who face Leganes at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday evening, currently trail Barcelona by seven points at the top of the La Liga standings.