Bernabeu expectant as Schuster walks tightrope

Real Madrid players have been coming out in support of under pressure coach Bernd Schuster but the German manager knows results are what count and a home win against Recreativo Huelva on Saturday is crucial for both coach and club.

League leaders Barcelona have opened up a five-point gap over fourth-placed Real and the champions can't afford another slip-up after a 1-0 defeat at Valladolid last weekend that means they have collected four points from their last nine.

All the talk this week has been of who is going to replace Schuster – with AC Milan coach Carlos Ancelotti the big name mentioned in the Spanish newspapers – but everyone at the Santiago Bernabeu has been unusually tight-lipped in the press.

Midfielder Javi Garcia, who made his first league start against Valladolid last weekend, insists a new coach is not the answer to Real's current problems.

“Changing the coach is not necessary. It is not the solution,” said Garcia.

“It is a bad run but we are all 100 percent behind the coach.

“There are a lot of experienced people here who have overcome similar situations. It is not easy to play well for the whole season.”

Last season it was Barcelona and their now departed coach, Frank Rijkaard who were in crisis but now their fans are gloating after scoring 36 goals in 28 games and conceding just eight – meaning they have the best attack and defence in the league.

Barca hold a three-point cushion over Villarreal and will hope their title rivals drop points on Saturday before their home match against Getafe on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola's team are targeting a 10th straight league win and midfielder Xavi, currently discussing a contract extension beyond 2010, is hungry for a silverware-laden season after two barren years with Barca.

“I am an optimist and I think we could do the league, Kings Cup and Champions League treble,” Xavi told El Mundo Deportivo newspaper.

“We want to win the treble and think we have the team and talent to do it.

“However, we have to be cautious and realistic because it has been a long time since a team did that treble.”

Lionel Messi has been simply sensational this season and Spanish international Xavi believes the Argentine is as good as Brazilian Ronaldinho in his Barca pomp.

“For me Messi is the best player in the world and he is at the level of Ronaldinho when he was at his best in his first two seasons at Barca,” added Xavi.

Villarreal, still unbeaten, can move level on points with Barcelona providing they can defeat Valladolid on Saturday night.

The undoubted game of the weekend also takes place on Saturday with title hopefuls Sevilla and Valencia locking horns in Seville.

Valencia sit two places above Sevilla in third, however, it is only on goal difference with both teams on 23 points.

Under former coach Juande Ramos, Sevilla were one of the most entertaining teams in the league – sometimes too attacking for their own good – and new coach Manolo Jimenez has been criticised for a style less pleasing on the eye.

“The only thing that counts is results and not whether you play well or badly,” said winger Diego Capel.

“Two years ago Real Madrid won the league title without playing good football. I wouldn't mind winning the league without producing great football all the time.”

Sevilla beat Valencia home and away last season and Valencia's Spanish international Raul Albiol hopes for an improvement on the 3-0 drubbing in Seville last time out.

“It is not an easy ground to play at,” admitted Albiol. “We hope we give a better account of ourselves than last season.”

With Sevilla and Valencia facing each other Atletico Madrid, five points off the pair, have a great chance to close in on their rivals when they travel to Numancia on Sunday.

Fixtures

Saturday

Real Madrid v Recreativo Huelva, Villarreal v Valladolid, Sevilla v Valencia

Sunday

Real Mallorca v Malaga, Osasuna v Almeria, Numancia v Atletico Madrid, Racing Santander v Espanyol, Sporting Gijon v Real Betis, Barcelona v Getafe, Deportivo La Coruna v Athletic Bilbao