Fri Jan 4 16:05:06 2008

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Ronaldinho to miss Barca's match at Mallorca

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Mallorca, Spain (Sports Network) - Adding another component to his disappointing season, Barcelona's Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho will miss Saturday's La Liga fixture at Mallorca Saturday because of tendonitis.

The team's medical staff ruled him out of action Friday, meaning he will miss his seventh match of the season.

Ronaldinho's injury adds to mounting injuries concerns for the Spanish power, with Argentinean winger Lionel Messi also out after picking up an injury in December.

Barca coach Frank Rijkaard may be forced to start Mexican Giovanni Dos Santos up top beside Samuel Eto'o and Andres Iniesta. Iniesta will start in Ronaldinho's spot on the left with Santos keeping the right side warm for former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, who is rounding into shape after injury concerns of his own.

Barcelona needs a win Saturday to keep pace with league leaders Real Madrid, who own a seven point lead over second-placed Barca.

Barcelona has lost just three league fixtures this season, but have only won twice on the road, meaning the club will have to play better in 2008 than it did in 2007 if it wants to catch the leaders.

Mallorca, on the other hand, sit in the middle of the table and relish a chance to move into the top third.

"This result will scare Barcelona," Mallorca manager Gregorio Manzano said after his club beat Osasuna 4-0 in its last match. "We have to carry on playing like that and I am confident we can get something from the game."

In the other league match on Saturday, third-placed Espanyol hosts fourth- placed Villarreal.

On Sunday, leaders Real Madrid host Real Zaragoza, fifth-placed Atletico Madrid travels to Deportivo, sixth-placed Racing host Athletic Bilbao, seventh-placed Valencia host Levante, UEFA Cup holders Sevilla host Real Betis, Real Murcia host Osasuna, Getafe host Real Valladolid and Recreativo host Almeria.