Real coach expects positive reaction from team in Bilbao

Real Madrid coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro has backed his players to prove their worth against Athletic Bilbao in the Primera Liga on Saturday, following their midweek humiliation in the King's Cup.

Real Zaragoza romped to a 6-1 home victory on Wednesday in the first leg of their cup semi-final, putting an end to Real's seven-match winning run in all competitions.

"The players didn't get to where they are now without overcoming huge adversity," Lopez Caro told a news conference on Friday.

"I have absolute confidence in them and I am sure in Bilbao we'll see the Real Madrid we have been used to seeing in recent games."

Earlier Lopez Caro had told radio station Onda Cero he was the one to blame for Wednesday's defeat: "I am the one who is most responsible because I take all the decisions."

"I hope the criticisms are levelled at me and not the players."

But in a poll published in Friday's edition of sports daily Marca 88.56 percent of fans blamed the players.

Lopez Caro has rested England captain David Beckham for the trip to Bilbao with the midfielder, who trained on Friday, still suffering from back pain from Wednesday's game.

Defenders Ivan Helguera and Alvaro Mejia are injured while Jonathan Woodgate and Cicinho earned recalls to the squad.

Real are third in the table, 10 points behind leaders Barcelona. Struggling Bilbao are 18th in the 20-team league.