Primera Liga matches, April 10-11
Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz has told his team the only way to respond to their shock Champions League exit this week is by beating Osasuna in the Primera Liga on Sunday.
Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz has told his team the only way to respond to their shock Champions League exit this week is by beating Osasuna in the Primera Liga on Sunday.
"We have the character to recover from the recent setbacks," under-pressure coach Queiroz said this week. "We can't do anything now about the past but our best response will be to win the match against Osasuna."
This week's shock defeat from the Champions League at the hands of unfancied Monaco and a surprise extra-time defeat in the final of the King's Cup against lowly Real Zaragoza last month mean there is now no room for error for the "galacticos".
The battle for the league title remains uncomfortably tight and with seven matches to go, champions Real are still only one point ahead of an in-form Valencia after 31 games.
With games against neighbours Atletico Madrid, arch-rivals Barcelona and a buoyant Deportivo Coruna coming up, Real cannot afford any more slip-ups.
Although Real achieved a flattering 2-1 victory against Albacete last week thanks to two deflected Roberto Carlos free kicks, they will be comforted by the fact that they have an almost unblemished record at the Bernabeu in the league.
But opponents Osasuna are not to be taken lightly and they have had an outstanding season under former Mexican national coach Javier Aguirre.
Other matches being played this weekend (standings in brackets; kickoff times 1530 GMT unless stated):
Saturday:
CELTA VIGO (19) v SEVILLA (9) 2000
Celta managed to eke out a 0-0 draw at Bilbao last week, but will need to win this one if they are make a realistic bid for survival in the top flight.
New coach Ramon Carnero has done a lot to improve the morale of the players but Celta will have to make do without midfielders Peter Luccin and Vagner when they host a determined Sevilla who are still in the hunt for a UEFA Cup place.
MALAGA (8) v ATLETICO MADRID (5) 1800
Malaga striker Salva, who has been in prolific form this season, will be aiming to add to his tally of 17 goals against his former club Atletico in what promises to be a close contest between two sides bidding to secure a place in Europe.
Atletico will be relying on the talented Fernando Torres to lead their attack, while experienced Argentine Diego Simeone is likely to be drafted in to cover for injured fullback Sergi.
VALLADOLID (14) v BARCELONA (4) 1600
Barca's nine-match winning streak came to an end last week with a 0-0 draw at home to Villarreal but they remain a comfortable eight points clear of Atletico in fourth.
Injuries to defenders Carles Puyol, Gabri and Rafael Marquez and a ban for Giovanni van Bronkhorst mean that coach Frank Rijkaard will have to rejig his back four, but up front he is likely to keep faith with Javier Saviola despite the return of Patrick Kluivert from injury.
Sunday:
ESPANYOL (18) v ALBACETE (16)
Albacete were unfortunate to lose to Real Madrid last time out but will end up finding themselves getting dragged into the relegation dog fight if they lose this one.
Luis Fernandez's Espanyol have mounted a brave rearguard action in their attempt to haul themselves out of the drop zone, but the time is running out for the Catalans.
RACING SANTANDER (13) v ATHLETIC BILBAO (7)
Both sides have been in unpredictable form this season and this one could go either way.
Racing turned in a typically entertaining display as they fought their way back from two goals down to claim a 2-2 draw at Zaragoza last week, but their home form has been poor while Bilbao's away performances have been equally disappointing.
REAL BETIS (11) v REAL MALLORCA (17)
Mallorca are hovering just three points above the drop zone after winning just one of their last 10 matches but will be hopeful of getting something out of this match against a disappointing Betis who have not won in six outings.
REAL SOCIEDAD (15) v MURCIA (20)
Nine points adrift at the bottom of the table, John Toshack's Murcia are heading for a rapid return to the second division and should provide little threat to Sociedad who need a win to allay any relegation fears.
REAL ZARAGOZA (12) v VALENCIA (2) 1730
Valencia showed the patience and confidence of potential champions on their way to their 2-0 win over Murcia last week, but they face a very tricky test at a Cup winners Zaragoza who have now put together an impressive seven-match unbeaten run.
Argentine playmaker Pablo Aimar is likely to miss out again because of a groin injury, but midfielders Vicente and Miguel Angel Angulo should be back after sitting out the 2-1 victory at Bordeaux in the UEFA Cup.
VILLARREAL (10) v DEPORTIVO CORUNA (3)
Depor are in ecstatic mood after their stunning comeback over holders AC Milan in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, but opponents Villarreal are also on a high after their well earned 1-1 draw at Celtic in the UEFA Cup.
An absorbing match in prospect between two of the most well organised sides in Spain.