LA CORUNA, March 14 (Primera Liga) - Real Madrid can stretch their lead at the top of the Primera Liga table to 11 points on Saturday night, but to achieve that they must do something they have not managed in 17 years - win a league game at Deportivo La Coruna.
Since their 3-0 triumph during the 1991/92 season, Madrid have endured a dismal run of results at the Riazor with Depor having won 10 of the 15 meetings between the two clubs, with the other five matches finishing in draws.
Among Depor`s triumphs have been results of 5-2 and 4-0 twice, while Madrid have only managed to notch one goal in their last six visits to La Coruna.
It is a record that will give hope to title challengers Barcelona, who are eight points behind Madrid and play Almeria away on Sunday, but Real coach Bernd Schuster is not letting it bother him.
"Thinking about this will be something else to help motivate the team, playing at a ground where it seems it has always been difficult for Real Madrid," said Schuster.
"There are always a lot of teams who, I don`t know why, cannot win against other teams for many years. We are going to try once more this year."
Madrid put behind them a run of five defeats in seven matches - during which they were also knocked out of the Champions League by Roma - with last weekend`s 2-1 home win over Espanyol.
The reigning Spanish champions are still not firing on all cylinders though, and, with the team also out of the Copa del Rey, there has been speculation recently about whether Schuster will still be in the post beyond this summer.
"This is not the time now to discuss the future of one person," said Schuster on Friday.
"You need to look at the histories of the great teams, and how new coaches do not usually achieve their objectives until the third year. Why should I be different?
"In football everything is done through work and things are achieved with time.
"Real Madrid cannot be the only team who, with a new coach and 10 new players, can win a title. It is too much to ask."
Madrid will again be without a number of key players, with Sergio Ramos suspended and injury ruling out Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben and Christoph Metzelder.
Schuster has also chosen to omit Javier Saviola, Javier Balboa and third-choice goalkeeper Jordi Codina for the trip north.
However, defensive duo Fabio Cannavaro and Michel Salgado have both been passed fit to take their places in an 18-man travelling squad.
Depor fought back from two goals down to claim a valuable 2-2 draw at Valencia last Sunday, and they are now two points clear of the relegation zone.
With four wins, two draws and only one defeat from their last seven games, Miguel Angel Lotina`s side appear to be coming good at just the right time.
Veteran defender Manuel Pablo hopes to keep that going against Madrid.
"It is difficult to go for so many years without letting them win here, but we will be going for the victory," he said.
Midfielder Andres Guardado and goalkeeper Gustavo Munua have both been passed fit for the game and have been named in a 19-man squad for Depor.
Among Depor`s triumphs have been results of 5-2 and 4-0 twice, while Madrid have only managed to notch one goal in their last six visits to La Coruna.
It is a record that will give hope to title challengers Barcelona, who are eight points behind Madrid and play Almeria away on Sunday, but Real coach Bernd Schuster is not letting it bother him.
"Thinking about this will be something else to help motivate the team, playing at a ground where it seems it has always been difficult for Real Madrid," said Schuster.
"There are always a lot of teams who, I don`t know why, cannot win against other teams for many years. We are going to try once more this year."
Madrid put behind them a run of five defeats in seven matches - during which they were also knocked out of the Champions League by Roma - with last weekend`s 2-1 home win over Espanyol.
The reigning Spanish champions are still not firing on all cylinders though, and, with the team also out of the Copa del Rey, there has been speculation recently about whether Schuster will still be in the post beyond this summer.
"This is not the time now to discuss the future of one person," said Schuster on Friday.
"You need to look at the histories of the great teams, and how new coaches do not usually achieve their objectives until the third year. Why should I be different?
"In football everything is done through work and things are achieved with time.
"Real Madrid cannot be the only team who, with a new coach and 10 new players, can win a title. It is too much to ask."
Madrid will again be without a number of key players, with Sergio Ramos suspended and injury ruling out Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben and Christoph Metzelder.
Schuster has also chosen to omit Javier Saviola, Javier Balboa and third-choice goalkeeper Jordi Codina for the trip north.
However, defensive duo Fabio Cannavaro and Michel Salgado have both been passed fit to take their places in an 18-man travelling squad.
Depor fought back from two goals down to claim a valuable 2-2 draw at Valencia last Sunday, and they are now two points clear of the relegation zone.
With four wins, two draws and only one defeat from their last seven games, Miguel Angel Lotina`s side appear to be coming good at just the right time.
Veteran defender Manuel Pablo hopes to keep that going against Madrid.
"It is difficult to go for so many years without letting them win here, but we will be going for the victory," he said.
Midfielder Andres Guardado and goalkeeper Gustavo Munua have both been passed fit for the game and have been named in a 19-man squad for Depor.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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