Beckham: Real Madrid players nervy about fans' reaction

All eyes will be on the Santiago Bernabeu crowd tonight as Real Madrid entertain Malaga.

Real players know they're in for a hot reception from their own fans after a dismal fortnight away from home.

David Beckham confessed that the players were not looking forward to the moment they have to step out onto the pitch.

"Yes," he replied when asked if the players were worried about the reaction.

"But if they see that we are working well, then normal good fans would get behind the team. Maybe the first 20 minutes are going to be tough, but we are professionals, we are paid to win games and we know that people are disappointed," he said.

Central defender Ivan Helguera continues to insist that the race of the title is by no means over and has cast an eye over Barcelona's upcoming games, which see them play Deportivo La Coruna and Betis before facing Madrid in the Bernabeu.

"They have got more difficult games than us, although this week is very important: if they lose against Deportivo and we win, then things will look better," he said.