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Real Madrid looking to extend perfect home record

Valencia's Joaquin reacts during their Champions League defeat to Rosenborg in Trondheim, Norway, on Tuesday. PHOTO: AFP

Spanish league leaders Real Madrid will be looking to extend their 100 percent home record this season with a convincing display over misfiring Deportivo La Coruna tomorrow.

Unbeaten in La Liga or the European Champions League in front of their own fans in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, nevertheless Real have been far from convincing in their outings.

Real had to work hard to beat 10-man Olympiakos 4-2 on Wednesday and coach Bernd Schuster will be looking to avoid similar anxieties against their visitors who lie fifth from bottom.

At least the distractions over Robinho's late return from international duty appear to be behind the Brazilian international following his two-goal contribution to their latest victory.

"I want to continue at this level in the coming games and help the team to carry on winning, that's the most important thing," said the winger on Thursday.

Real are in pole postion on top of the Spanish first division with 19 points from their eight games, one point ahead of both Villarreal and Valencia who are second and third respectively and split only by goal difference.

Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini left out several first team players for Thursday's UEFA Cup match with Fiorentina in order to save them for tomorrow's tricky trip to Real Zaragoza.

"It's not difficult to change my squad around because the players help each other a lot. If there are changes, I don't think it will affect what we are capable of [against Zaragoza]," said Pellegrini confidently on Thursday.

Valencia will have to try to pick themselves up at Sevilla after their surprise 2-0 loss at Rosenborg in the Champions League on Wednesday.

"I wasn't expecting that result but it isn't a catastrophe. The best thing we can do is bounce back as quickly as possible," reflected Valencia coach Quique Flores.

Barcelona are in fourth place, two points behind Real, and will be looking to keep up the pressure despite a bad week which saw them lose their first game of the season, 3-1 at Villarreal last Saturday, and held to a 0-0 draw by Rangers on Tuesday.
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