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LFP: Real determined to bounce back

Real Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra gestures during a press conference held after the team's training session in Madrid, Spain, on Thursday. PHOTO: EPA

Spanish champions Real Madrid, still shellshocked from their Champions League exit at the hands of Roma in midweek, must restore their morale quickly for today's home match against Espanyol.

Real had high hopes in this season's Champions League, but a 2-1 home defeat to the Italians on Wednesday saw them crash out at the last 16 stage and the league is now the sole focus.

"It's been very tough to lose both games against Roma and the squad is pretty silent," Mali international Mahamadou Diarra said. "We aren't very happy but we must act like men and fight for this league. I want us to be united and to do our best because we are capable of winning the title."

Real stretched their lead over Barcelona to five points last weekend but fifth-placed Espanyol, who have already beaten Real in the league this season, are difficult opponents.

Barcelona are now Spain's sole representatives in the Champions League, having overcome Celtic over two legs, but it came at a cost, with Argentine sensation Lionel Messi out for six weeks after tearing a muscle in his left leg.

Barca host Villarreal, who beat them 3-1 earlier in the season, tomorrow aiming to bounce back after a 4-2 loss at Atletico Madrid last weekend.

It was Barcelona's first league defeat since the painful 1-0 reverse against Real on Dec. 23 last year.

Villarreal lie third, seven points behind Barca, and are one of five teams gunning for two Champions League spots.

Atletico, three points behind in fourth, are one of those sides and travel to Real Zaragoza today.

It is the first match in charge for new Zaragoza coach Manolo Villanova, who replaced Javier Irureta this week.

"I know the team is leaking lots of goals and I plan to introduce a system to defend well but also to attack with purpose," Villanova said. "I want an aggressive, solid team that uses the ball well."

Zaragoza's defense will be put to the test by Atletico's in-form Argentine striker Kun Aguero, 21, who scored a wonder goal against Barcelona last weekend.

Sevilla, five points off fourth place, are also targeting a Champions League berth and entertain bottom side Levante tomorrow.

Like Real, Sevilla suffered European heartache with Turkish side Fenerbahce defeating them at home on penalties after the two-legged tie had finished 5-5.

"The European exit was a major setback and we are really hurting," coach Manolo Jimenez said. "We have to recognize what our weak points are and try to improve."

Conceding too many goals has been Sevilla's problem all season, with 35 goals leaked in 26 league matches.

At the other end they are lethal and their Brazilian forward Luis Fabiano is strong favorite for the Pichichi title with 19 goals -- five more than his nearest rival, Zaragoza's Diego Milito.
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