Moment of truth as Real Madrid faces Getafe in the Bernabeu
Moment of truth as Real Madrid faces Getafe in the Bernabeu
20:27, October 30, 2009 
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Real Madrid faces its first moment of truth of the current season when Getafe is the visitor in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Saturday night.
Tuesday's 4-0 humiliation in the Copa del Rey against third category side Alcorcon, has been described as the most embarrassing result in the club's history in some sectors of the Spanish press.
As a result coach Manuel Pellegrini has his job on the line after just two months of the season. Failure to beat Getafe, a team coached by former Madrid player Michel Gonzalez, will almost certainly lead to him being sacked, while a win may grant him a stay of execution until Tuesday's Champions League visit to play AC Milan.
Pellegrini will be without star striker Cristiano Ronaldo for the game, tests carried out on Wednesday confirmed the Portuguese ace will be sidelined for at least another week.
Meanwhile Kaka and Xabi Alonso, rested for the Alcorcon debacle, will return to the starting 11 along with Sergio Ramos.
Real Madrid's are still furious about the cup defeat and the team can expect a hostile welcome on the pitch. Should Pellegrini's men then struggle against Getafe, the level of the complaints will continue to grow.
Primera Liga leader Barcelona meanwhile travels to Pamplona to play Osasuna.
Unlike Real Madrid, Barcelona rested key players in its Copa del Rey game away to Cultural Leonesa, but still cruised to a 2-0 win.
Players such as Leo Messi, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta will return to action against an Osasuna side that has had a good start to the season.
Osasuna is always hard to beat in the El Sadar stadium and Barcelona can expect a physical battle.
Atletico Madrid coach Quique Sanchez Flores makes his Primera Liga debut for the club away to Athletic club Bilbao.
Atletico has only one league win all season, while Athletic has taken only one point from its last five matches.
Finally third placed Sevilla will expect all three points away to Primera Liga strugglers Xerez in an Andalusia derby.
Source: Xinhua
Tuesday's 4-0 humiliation in the Copa del Rey against third category side Alcorcon, has been described as the most embarrassing result in the club's history in some sectors of the Spanish press.
As a result coach Manuel Pellegrini has his job on the line after just two months of the season. Failure to beat Getafe, a team coached by former Madrid player Michel Gonzalez, will almost certainly lead to him being sacked, while a win may grant him a stay of execution until Tuesday's Champions League visit to play AC Milan.
Pellegrini will be without star striker Cristiano Ronaldo for the game, tests carried out on Wednesday confirmed the Portuguese ace will be sidelined for at least another week.
Meanwhile Kaka and Xabi Alonso, rested for the Alcorcon debacle, will return to the starting 11 along with Sergio Ramos.
Real Madrid's are still furious about the cup defeat and the team can expect a hostile welcome on the pitch. Should Pellegrini's men then struggle against Getafe, the level of the complaints will continue to grow.
Primera Liga leader Barcelona meanwhile travels to Pamplona to play Osasuna.
Unlike Real Madrid, Barcelona rested key players in its Copa del Rey game away to Cultural Leonesa, but still cruised to a 2-0 win.
Players such as Leo Messi, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta will return to action against an Osasuna side that has had a good start to the season.
Osasuna is always hard to beat in the El Sadar stadium and Barcelona can expect a physical battle.
Atletico Madrid coach Quique Sanchez Flores makes his Primera Liga debut for the club away to Athletic club Bilbao.
Atletico has only one league win all season, while Athletic has taken only one point from its last five matches.
Finally third placed Sevilla will expect all three points away to Primera Liga strugglers Xerez in an Andalusia derby.
Source: Xinhua
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