Liga Preview: Racing Santander-Real Madrid

So that's it then. Valencia react badly to a refereeing decision at the Bernabeu, throw their toys out of the pram, and proceed to implode in the following two games to effectively hand the title to a consistently solid Real Madrid.

It's hard to read recent events in La Liga any differently, but it now seems difficult to imagine the drawn game in the capital between the top two as anything other than the game that decided the championship. This observer warned that the manner of the draw, where Real were gifted an undeserved last-minute penalty, could have major repercussions on the destination of the title. Sadly, that has proven correct and it seems as if Valencia have had less stomach for the fight than I had originally assumed.

It's one thing to lose at home to a resurgent Barcelona inspired by Edgar Davids and Ronaldinho, but quite another to capitulate to relegation-haunted Espanyol, who were carved to bits by the champions just a week before.

While officials at the Bernabeu have a lot to answer for, it is also only correct to salute the steady form of Real Madrid, form which seems set to give them the championship despite their obvious inability to defend. This leads me to one observation. If Real do go on to win the championship, I can only contend that La Liga is no longer the strongest in Europe. If a side as well-balanced as Valencia can succumb to hubris on the back of one admittedly pivotal decision, then it doesn't say much about the backbone of the top Spanish sides in their quest to unseat the Madridistas.

Juventus went to the Bernabeu in the Champions League semi-final last season and were victims of a dubious "offside" goal scored by Roberto Carlos. They were furious, but extracted frenzied revenge in Turin a week later. This defence of Real Madrid, the one that conceded another two goals against Celta Vigo last weekend, just won't cut it in the Champions League. Having been outrageously fortunate to escape from Bavaria with an away-goal, Real Madrid are caught in the dangerous position of wondering whether to attack or defend when they face Bayern Munich in the second leg of the second round of Europe's premier club competition on Wednesday. One thing is for sure, Bayern have to score. The Germans deserved more from the first game and are very much alive in this tie, but the Spanish champions have overwhelming firepower, and Oliver Kahn will have to hope his confidence as well as his brilliance returns in earnest.

The attitude of both sides will be crucial in determining this game, and as important as the three points are at El Sardinero on Saturday night, Racing Santander are not the main concern of Carlos Queiroz and his men at the moment. The delicate state of the tie, well poised at 1-1 leaves Madrid with a lot to ponder. Bayern are the "dark monster" to fans of Real, and are a significant stumbling block on the road to a tenth European crown. If Valencia and Deportivo are to recover some lost ground, this weekend may be as good a chance as any with the thoughts of the champions elsewhere.

RECENT FORM

Madrid are unbeaten in La Liga since a January visit to San Sebastian. Zidane and Ronaldo have boosted morale by extending their stays at the Bernabeu, but despite public overtures from both Florentino Perez and Jorge Valdano, Luis Figo seems in no rush to follow suit.

Twelfth-placed Santander are hardly in the best of runs, with two wins from the last six, a series that has also included a 6-3 drubbing at the far-from-mighty Villarreal. Home form is better however, with the two wins coming in their last three games at El Sardinero.

TEAM NEWS

Raul is absent from the game with an ankle injury and faces a race against time to be fit for the Champions League game on Wednesday. David Beckham has tonsilitis and may also miss out. Real Madrid have only lost this season when one of the seven "Galacticos" has been missing. With two out, Santander might fancy their chances even more.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Ronaldo (Real Madrid) Just one goal away from last season's complete tally, Ronaldo has been in deadly form this season. Having just extended his stay at the Bernabeu until 2008, the Brazilian will be looking to celebrate in style on Saturday night. Regardless of who he is paired with, Ronaldo still evinces that selfishness that great golascorers seem to possess. Having been anonymous at the Münchner Olympiastadion last week, expect big things in the coming games from the Brazilian or feel the backlash…

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Racing: Ricardo, Cristián, Pablo Casar, Juanma, Ayoze, Diego Mateo, Nafti, Morán, Benayoun, Regueiro, Javi Guerrero or Bodipo.

Real Madrid: Casillas, Mejía, Helguera, Raúl Bravo, Roberto Carlos, Beckham, Guti, Figo, Solari, Zidane, Ronaldo.