Real caretaker coach not alone in spotlight

Caretaker coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro faces his first Primera Liga test when Real Madrid visit Malaga on Sunday.

Lopez Caro was snatched from the relative obscurity of Real's youth team to replace Vanderlei Luxemburgo when the Brazilian was sacked last Sunday and lost his first game at the helm on Tuesday.

Real, who had already qualified for the knockout phase of the Champions League, were beaten 2-1 by Olympiakos Piraeus but had rested several top players ahead of Sunday's game.

Defender Ivan Helguera believes Lopez Caro is the right man to re-ignite Real's season.

"I think he is the perfect choice," Helguera told sports daily Marca on Thursday.

"We need to start playing good football again. This is the most important thing independent of the results."

"Even if we lose we need to recover our morale and show we are as good as we say we are."

Real, fourth in the table six points behind leaders Barcelona, have an injury doubt over Brazil striker Ronaldo.

England captain David Beckham is suspended following his red card last weekend.

While Real's problems have dominated the headlines recently, there are a number of other top-flight coaches also feeling the heat.

Real Zaragoza's Victor Munoz, who was given the board's backing to continue little more than a week ago, will hope to build on his side's first away win of the season last Sunday.

The 2-1 victory at Cadiz eased the pressure on Munoz but it will be no easy game at home to third-placed Celta Vigo, whose coach Fernando Vazquez is also under fire.

Vazquez, who has led the promoted club into the Champions League places, has been criticised by fans for his team selections.

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has given coach Carlos Bianchi his support ahead of their home match with second-from-bottom Alaves. Atletico, in 11th place, have not won in five outings.

Alaves's outspoken president Dmitry Piterman and coach Chuchi Cos were barracked by fans after their 3-0 home defeat by Real Mallorca last Sunday.

Espanyol's Miguel Angel Lotina was last month given the go-ahead to continue with the Barcelona-based side but their 3-1 defeat by Valencia prompted an angry response from home fans last weekend.

Lotina's side travel to face Real Betis whose coach Llorenc Serra Ferrer, while not in immediate danger, has his work cut out to drag his team off the foot of the table.

Leaders Barcelona will chase an 11th consecutive win in all competitions at home to Sevilla on Sunday while second-placed Osasuna host Real Mallorca the same day.