Real Madrid turn their attention to domestic duties
Having acquired a lifeline in their bid to retain the Champions League, Real Madrid now switch their sights to domestic matters and a win at Alaves on Saturday is vital if they are to keep up the pressure on league leaders Real Sociedad.
Having acquired a lifeline in their bid to retain the Champions League, Real Madrid now switch their sights to domestic matters and a win at Alaves on Saturday is vital if they are to keep up the pressure on league leaders Real Sociedad.
The 1-1 draw at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, thanks to an injury time equaliser from second-half substitute Javier Portillo, settled nerves and now means qualifying for the Champions League quarter-finals is entirely in their own hands.
On the home front though Madrid must rely on their Basque rivals slipping up if their hopes of ending the season as Spanish champions are to reach fruition although Vicente Del Bosque knows that a victory at Alaves could induce a fit of the jitters at Sociedad.
With Raul Gonzalez doubtful due to a badly bruised foot, Del Bosque may decide to give Tuesday's hero Portillo just his second league start.
However Portillo is not getting too excited about the prospect of lining up alongside Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and the rest of Real's stellar cast.
"I think I've got my feet on the ground. I'm only 20 years old and I've still got a lot to learn. I'm just grateful to the coach for whatever minutes he wants to give me," Portillo said on Thursday.
One man definitely missing on Saturday is French international midfielder Claude Makelele. Jose Maria 'Guti' Gutierrez is his likely replacement.
Luis Figo will also face a late fitness test after straining a muscle in his right leg against the Germans.
Alaves remain optimistic that they can thwart Madrid despite the 6-0 thrashing they suffered at Deportivo La Coruna last weekend.
"I don't think we need luck to beat Real Madrid. All we need is to concentrate more and play without committing too many errors," said Alaves' Ivan Tomic on Thursday.
An absentee for the home side will be the suspended Luis Helguera, depriving the encounter of a fraternal clash with his brother and Real Madrid defender Ivan.
Real Sociedad this week celebrated four months on top of the Spanish first division and they intend to hang on to their pole position at Valladolid on Sunday.
They lead wth 47 points from 23 games but Real Madrid and Valencia are only two points in arrears, with the European and world club champions ahead of the reigning Spanish champions on goal difference.
"The only way to respond to having Madrid and Valencia breating down our necks is to win, but it would also be nice to have a bit of their luck as well," commented Sociedad coach Raynald Denoueix this week.
Sociedad's discontent hinges on the fact that they don't believe they get any favours in their opponent's penalty box.
The team's joint top scorer Darko Kovacevic hasn't been awarded a single penalty all season.
"When I do, I think I'll be cheering louder than even our own fans," said the Yugoslav striker.
Valencia will be hoping to recover from the shock of their 3-0 home defeat by Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday but must be wishing they had an easier trip than to fifth-placed Celta Vigo on Sunday.
However, Celta have problems of their own. Injuries and suspensions mean that the Galicians only have 16 members of their first team squad available, and that number could drop further with Brazilian midfielder Vagner doubtful.
Barcelona's winning streak in the Champions League came to an end on Wednesday and their six game undefeated run in all competitions since Radomir Antic took over at the helm of the Catalan club could be under threat at Osasuna on Sunday.
Despite their lowly position, Osasuna have beaten both Real Madrid and Valencia at home this season.
Barca have also been seriously weakened after two critcial injuries in the Italian capital.
Philip Cocu damaged ligaments in his left knee that will take around three months to mend while Carles Puyol suffered a double fracture of the right cheek bone and will be out for a month.
Spanish league fixtures:
Saturday:
Espanyol vs. Real Mallorca
Athletic Bilbao vs. Recreativo Huelva
Alaves vs. Real Madrid
Sunday:
Celta Vigo vs. Valencia
Osasuna vs. Barcelona
Racing Santander vs. Deportivo La Coruna
Valladolid vs. Real Sociedad Villarreal vs. Rayo Vallecano Atletico Madrid vs. Malaga
Real Betis vs. Sevilla