Barcelona and Real seek to restore pride in derby

BARCELONA and Real Madrid have even more to prove than usual in today's derby, after crashing out of the Champions League this week.

Barcelona, who are undefeated at home in La Liga this season, have slipped to second place behind Sevilla, after losing two of their last three games.

Real are fourth and the clamour has been growing steadily for coach Fabio Capello's head in the wake of their 1-2 defeat by Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

'The results are not good, there's no hiding that,' admitted Capello.

'When things are not going well, then sometimes you have to change things,' said captain Raul Gonzalez.

Both Barcelona and Real will have key players missing at the Nou Camp.

Barca's Ronaldinho strained a muscle in his left thigh after bowing out of the Champions League at Liverpool.

Barca will also be without the suspended winger Ludovic Giuly and defender Gianluca Zambrotta, who were sent off in last Saturday's 1-2 defeat at Sevilla.

For Real, Fabio Cannavaro and Roberto Carlos are on the injury list, which includes David Beckham and Jose Antonio Reyes.

Carlos, after being slammed for his part in conceding the Champions League's fastest goal on Wednesday, will quit at the end of the season.

'I'm not going to renew my contract,' he said. 'I'm 33 years old and I don't deserve more suffering. I've been at this club 11 years, but we lose one game and all of the fault has landed on me.'

Turkish club Fenerbahce have made an offer.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE