Shaken Real face test of confidence

MADRID: Spanish champions Real Madrid, still shellshocked by 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.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 a difficult opponent. Espanyol will hope they do not feel the backlash of Real's anger at being eliminated from Europe.Barcelona are now Spain's sole representative 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 a first match in charge for new Zaragoza coach Manolo Villanova who replaced Javier Irureta this week.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.
TODAY: Real Madrid v Espanyol, Real Zaragoza v Atletico Madrid; TOMORROW: Sevilla v Levante, Osasuna v Almeria, Athletic Bilbao v Valladolid, Racing Santander v Real Betis, Real Murcia v Getafe, Real Mallorca v Recreativo Huelva, Valencia v Deportivo La Coruna, Barcelona v Villarreal. - AFP

A REAL SHOCKER

Real's worst fears realized
Thu Mar 6, 2008 9:55am GMT

MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid's worst fears were confirmed on Wednesday when they exited the Champions League at the first knockout round for the fourth year in succession.
The nine-time champions were ruthlessly exposed by a high-quality Roma side who beat them 2-1 at the Bernabeu, completing a 4-2 aggregate victory that will have major repercussions at a club that measures success in terms of European trophies.
"We didn't have that magic we've shown on other nights," said skipper Raul, whose 61st Champions League goal was to no avail.
"It's a very heavy blow, a really big disappointment because the Champions League was one of our big objectives this season and now we are out of it.
"We were the better side in the first leg, but we came back with a very dangerous result and we weren't able to impose ourselves on opponents who showed themselves to be a very good team. We struggled to create any scoring chances."
Real were simply not as sharp, as hungry or as skilful as Roma and although they can point to the sending off of Portugal centre-back Pepe as the turning point in the tie, the defeat revealed more serious weaknesses.
The absence of leading striker Ruud van Nistelrooy through injury exposed the team's lack of alternatives up front, while the midfield once again looked short of pace and ideas.
SHARP PASSING Continued...