Real aiming to halt Barcelona bandwagon

Barcelona v Real Madrid:FOR THE former Real Madrid coach, it was mission impossible; for the new Real Madrid coach, it is an opportunity. Three opportunities, in fact. To prove that the real Juande Ramos is the man who became Sevilla's most successful ever coach, not the man who led Spurs to their worst-ever start; to bring Barcelona's march to a halt and reopen the title race; and to make himself an immediate hero at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid visit the Camp Nou tonight and Barca are strong favourites. Top of the table, they have won 11 and drawn one of their last 12, scoring 43 goals in the process. Madrid have lost three in four, slipping to fifth, and conceded more goals than any team in the top half. Worse, the spark and the spine is absent - Pepe, Mahamadou Diarra and Ruud van Nistelrooy are injured, Wesley Sneijder is doubtful and Arjen Robben suspended. And there is no left-back after Marcelo picked up a fifth yellow card.

Catalan newspapers have declared Madrid to be "running scared" and even the country's prime minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, insisted that Barcelona would win 5-1. A victory would put Barcelona 12 points clear of their biggest rivals and bookmakers in Spain are offering 6 to 1 against a Madrid victory.

But Ramos is unfazed. "Today," he said, "is a good day to become a millionaire. Those who bet on us could be in for a big reward. We will play to the very best of our abilities and if we can do that then we have a genuine chance."

What a contrast to the remarks of his predecessor, Bernd Schuster, who declared Madrid "cannot win at the Camp Nou".

"The word 'defeat' does not even enter into my mind," added Ramos. "If you can control Messi, Xavi, Eto'o and the rest, then you have a good chance."

Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola has been preaching caution. " This Madrid frightens me more than a Madrid with all their players. And, don't forget, we're playing the champions of Spain . . ."

"We will not beat Madrid 6-0, or 5-0, I can assure you of that. We've already won the media game 6-0. Brilliant. But the real game starts on Saturday at 10."