Schuster Requests Full Concentration

Bernd Schuster has told his Real Madrid players that they cannot relax ahead of their game against Levante on Sunday because there is always a chance of a shock result when playing teams in the bottom half of the table. 

Schuster played up the importance of the game at the Ciudad de Valencia on Sunday evening, saying that it is games against teams like Levante that decide the destiny of the league title.

"The title is won by results against teams like Levante," he told the gathered press.

"It is necessary to be more careful before games like these. We must not give the opposition time on the ball and must make sure to dominant possession ourselves."

Schuster confirmed that Iker Casillas looks likely to recover from illness in time for the match and took the opportunity to praise the form of his goalkeeper.

"He had a lot of work to do in recent games. Zaragoza created too many chances, it is true."

"He enjoys it when he has a lot to do, but it is not good that a rival has so many chances in one against one situations and shots from inside the area, but, on the other hand, the certain thing is that later in the game we had the players with the necessary quality to finish the chances that came our way."

"Now we work to resume the defensive strength we had before Christmas."

Real are suffering from a lack of players defensively due to suspension and injury, but Schuster seems to be getting used to missing players in this area.

"Almost all of the season has seen absences in our back-line, but we have an ample group so do not need to worry that much, the back four we trained with this morning is guaranteed to start."

With Mahamadou Diarra away on African Cup of Nations duty, Fernando Gago will slot into midfield, despite being one booking away from a suspension.

"Resting players would be nice but now we are not in a position to rest, certainly not in the center of the field since Diarra has gone away. We know Gago is close to the limit, but he must play with four yellows and we don't have any other option."

Finally, Schuster was asked to comment on Ruud Van Nistelrooy's contract extension, which will keep the Dutch striker at the Bernabeu until 2010.

"He deserved it, with his experience he is always guaranteed to gets goals every year. Also, as a person he is always encouraging his companions and we want him here for a long time," Schuster concluded.