Schuster dreading Spanish derby

MADRID: Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster has already thrown in the towel ahead of his injury-and-suspension-hit squad's trip to play arch rivals Barcelona next weekend.

The Primera Liga champions slipped to fifth after Sunday's 4-3 defeat to Sevilla at the Bernabeu, nine points behind the Catalans, and have lost three of their last four matches in Spain's top division.

Dutch winger Arjen Robben will miss Saturday's game at the Nou Camp because of his red card against Sevilla and key players such as center back Pepe, midfielder Ruben de la Red and striker Ruud van Nistelrooy are still out injured.