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LFP: Real hoping to breach tight defense

Real Madrid's Raul Gonzales tries to intercept the ball during their Champions League defeat against Werder Bremen in Germany on Wednesday. PHOTO: AFP

After two dismal away performances in the last week, Spanish league leaders Real Madrid will be glad to be back in their Santiago Bernabeu stadium to face Racing Santander today.

The Spanish giants have a 100 per cent record at home this season, in both La Liga and in the Champions League, however their visitors can boast of the best defensive record in the Spanish first division.

Real will be without their suspended midfield playmaker Guti, who has made many of his teammates' goals this season but who was sent off in the 1-1 draw at Murcia last Saturday.

The reigning Spanish champions have 29 points from 13 games and a one-point advantage over second-placed Villarreal while Real's eternal rivals Barcelona are one point and one place further back. Barcelona had a taxing 2-2 draw against Lyon in the Champions League on Tuesday and the fixture pile up is starting to take its toll on the Catalan club.

Thierry Henry and Sylvinho are definitely out of action for the local derby at Espanyol today, with a back strain and left knee injury respectively.

There are also question marks over the fitness of defenders Oleguer Presas and Lilian Thuram as well as their Icelandic striker Eidur Gudjohnsen.
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