Rate it!

2 votes

Real Madrid visit Barcelona tonight in one of Europe's biggest games.

Real, fifth in the league and trailing leaders Barcelona by nine points, have a lengthy list of injuries and suspensions but have been lifted by the sacking of Bernd Schuster and the appointment of the former Sevilla and Tottenham Hotspur boss.

"I don't deny there is a feeling around here that we can score lots of goals against Real Madrid but we must not forget that it is the league champions visiting," Guardiola said.

"They are coming to defend their title and you do not beat the champions 5-0 or 6-0. We start at 0-0 on Saturday and after we will see what happens."

Guardiola played for the Catalans in 10 "Clasicos" against their arch rivals from the Spanish capital and this will be his first as a coach.

He said he hoped there was no desire among his players to avenge Real's 4-1 win last year at the Bernabeu when they had already clinched the title. "

That is in the past and is of no help now," he said.

Ramos said the players were extremely upbeat about taking on Barca and it had not been difficult to motivate them.

"We need to climb back up the league and we are totally convinced of our chances of winning," he said.

"The beginning of the match will be very important. If we concede early it could sap our confidence but even if that happens we still have a chance."

Ramos insisted the team would be going all out for victory, although he said he might play five in defence to try to counter the threat of Barca's dangerous forwards including Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o.

"I am only going for the win," he said. "The word draw is not in my vocabulary."

Real have been boosted by the return of Netherlands international midfielder Wesley Sneijder to the squad, although Ramos said it was not yet clear whether he will play and medical staff were still assessing his fitness.

Ruben de la Red could become the third player from the Spanish champions to be forced to end the season early after his collapse on the pitch in a Copa del Rey match in October.

Club president Ramon Calderon said the Spain international would not play again this season but officials said Real Madrid were still waiting for final test results.

Striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and midfielder Mahamadou Diarra are already out with serious knee injuries.

Villarreal defender Javi Venta will be out for three weeks after injuring his ankle in last weekend's 3-3 draw at home to Getafe, the club said on its website.

Villarreal, who are in second place six points behind leaders Barcelona after 14 matches, play at fourth-placed Sevilla on Sunday.

Sevilla's Italian midfielder Enzo Maresca is recovering well from a muscle strain, was able to train normally on Thursday and should be available for the Villarreal clash, the club said on its website.

Espanyol midfielder Ivan de la Pena will be unavailable for three or four weeks after suffering a calf strain in Sunday's draw against Real Betis, the club said.

It is another setback for new coach Mane, who has already lost Spain international striker Raul Tamudo. However, defender Steve Finnan is continuing his recovery from a muscle problem and should be back in training within the week.

The Barcelona side, struggling in third-to-last place with 13 points from 14 matches and only one win in the last 12, play at third-placed Valencia on Saturday.

Valencia forward David Silva is fit enough to return to action against Espanyol after three months out following September's operation to correct an ankle problem.

"I felt good this week even if I am still missing a bit of rhythm," the Spain international told reporters. "If the coach thinks I should come on for a few minutes it would be perfect for me."

Atletico Madrid's home match against Real Betis on Sunday is the most important of the season so far, Portuguese forward Simao Sabrosa said.

"Betis are a great team, play football very well and have top quality players," he told reporters. "We need to win and get three more points in the bag." Atletico are in sixth on 24 points, two behind city rivals Real Madrid.

YOU CAN FOLLOWING LIVE TEXT COMMENTARY ON THE FOLLOWING MATCHES THIS WEEKEND IN LA LIGA AT EUROSPORT.YAHOO.COM:

Valencia v Espanyol (Saturday, 19:00)

Barcelona v Real Madrid (Saturday, 21:00)

Sevilla v Villarreal (Sunday, 18:00)

Atletico Madrid v Real Betis (Sunday, 20:00)

Reuters