Sevilla ready to stun Bernabeu faithful

(China Daily/Agencies)
Updated: 2010-03-06 08:05

MADRID - Sevilla winger Diego Perotti is confident they can spring a surprise as they face the ominous task of playing Real Madrid at the Bernabeu this weekend.

While leaders Barcelona have started to stutter, Real have hit form domestically, scoring eleven goals in their past two games.

They are proving to be more than just the one-man show, which critics claimed earlier in the season, and Cristiano Ronaldo has been complemented well by Gonzalo Higuain and Kaka in attack.

It is a crunch game for Sevilla who cannot afford to drop points in the chase for a Champions League place. Their form though has been inconsistent since Christmas and while they have beaten Valencia and Mallorca they have also let points slip against lesser opposition.

"All the teams in the top flight are capable of beating each other and no one is invincible. We did very well in the first half of the season and now we really need to pick up three points to try and get third spot," said Perotti.

"It will be essential to mark their key players tightly. Higuain is playing very well but there is also Cristiano and Kaka, so we have to be very careful and make the most of the chances we have."

Barca have not been at their best and are desperately holding their two point advantage with many citing the showdown in April at the Bernabeu between the top two sides in Spain as the championship decider.

There was an improvement in the 2-1 win over Malaga and Andres Iniesta realizes this is the path they must continue against Almeria.

"The match against Real will be important but there are a lot of points in play before and afterwards. Following several poor matches we gave a better showing against Malaga and caused more danger," he said.

"It is normal that during a whole season you are not always at your best but as a squad it is the job of us all to play a part and if someone doesn't play well then another can come in."

Valencia were well-beaten by Atletico Madrid 4-1 but they still have a three-point cushion above fourth place ahead of their match with Racing Santander as Sevilla only managed a draw with Athletic Bilbao.

Mallorca are enjoying a remarkable season and they will be looking to maintain their strong home form, which has seen them lose just once all season, against Sporting Gijon.