Weary Barca seek swift end to La Liga title race

The leaders host Real Betis on Sunday having been swept out of their semi-final 7-0 on aggregate by a far superior Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

With five games left, Barca hold an 11-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid, who host Real Valladolid on Saturday.

"We are very deflated but there is still a La Liga title to secure," Barca midfielder Cesc Fabregas told reporters after the Bayern game.

Defender Gerard Pique added: "We need to sort it out as quickly as possible.

"We haven't known how to compete effectively in the King's Cup or the Champions League but we have been very consistent in the league."

Central to wrapping up the trophy will be getting top scorer Lionel Messi back to full fitness from his hamstring problem after he surprisingly sat out Wednesday's 3-0 home defeat.

Vilanova said the World Player of the Year was not injured but felt a "strange sensation" before the Bayern game, and decided it was best to start with him on the bench.

Real's Champions League semi-final exit to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday was not as traumatic as Barca's, as they at least salvaged some pride by almost completing a comeback at the Bernabeu.