Schuster on the brink as Real fall again

Managers don't last long at Real Madrid and German coach Bernd Schuster could be heading for the exit door after the Spanish champions fell to a 1-0 defeat at Valladolid on Saturday.

The same Valladolid had been crushed 6-0 by Barcelona last weekend and before the game sections of the Spanish media were saying that this could be Schuster's last game if Real lost.

That is just what happened as Uruguayan striker Nestor Cannobbio struck a 48th minute winner with an unstoppable left-footed drive.

With two recent Champions League losses to Juventus and the midweek Spanish Cup embarrassment to minnows Real Union, Schuster had been under extreme pressure, and the Valladolid loss could be the final nail in his coffin although Schuster didn't see it that way.

“I am calm. We are working towards what we want to do and I am focused on my job,” said Schuster.

“It is a difficult time at the moment but we had a similar situation last season.

“The result is obviously bad for us and we shouldn't lose but that is football. They didn't really create a chance in the first half but when half a chance came along they took it well. We certainly didn't deserve to lose.”

Real have now won just once in their last six matches in all competitions and the double league champions stay fourth, two points behind leaders Barcelona who have a game in hand.

Schuster won the league title in his debut season but it is now up to the Real board to see if they want to extend his 16-month spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Without the creative Dutch duo of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Arjen Robben both out injured Raul and Gonzalo Higuain started in attack with the latter hoping to build on his four goals against Malaga last weekend.

Valladolid were whacked 6-0 by Barcelona last time out and must have feared a Real backlash but Jose Garcia Calvo almost put the hosts ahead with his 12th minute header cleared off the goal line by alert Brazilian defender Marcelo.

Higuain then showed a great turn of pace to race clear only to be thwarted by the goalkeeper.

At half-time it was scoreless with Schuster cutting a glum figure in the dug-out but the clean sheet was a bonus when you consider that Real had leaked six goals in their last two matches.

But three minutes into the second half Valladolid took the lead with a poor pass from Guti gifting possession and Canobbio rifled in past the helpless Iker Casillas.

Casillas last kept a clean sheet back on September 21 in a 2-0 win over Racing Santander underlining Real's defensive frailties.

Higuain and Wesley Sneijder both went close but captain Raul squandered the best chance with three minutes left shooting at the legs of goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo.

Valencia play late on Saturday night at home to promoted Sporting Gijon and can replace Barcelona at the top with victory.

“We have to be ambitious. Two weeks ago we were league leaders and we would like to get back there,” explained coach Unai Emery.

Barcelona are two points ahead of Valencia going in Sunday's match against Recreativo Huelva while Villarreal, away at Malaga on Sunday, are a point behind the leaders.