Declarations from Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster have thrown his side deep into crisis just six days before the Camp Nou stadium to play el Classico against FC Barcelona. The German claimed that his side cannot beat their bitter rivals in a game that could effectively end his Real Madrid's Primera Liga challenge.

Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster attends a news conference in Minsk, Nov. 24, 2008. Declarations from Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster have thrown his side deep into crisis just six days before the Camp Nou stadium to play el Classico against FC Barcelona. [Xinhua/Reuters]

Barcelona moved nine points clear of Real Madrid thanks to a 4-0 home win over third-placed Valencia on Saturday night. With Real Madrid lacking players in defense and without a first choice left back, Leo Messi will be a huge threat, while the pace of Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry threatens both Michel Salgado and Fabio Cannavaro.

On paper, Barcelona are favorites, not only to beat Real Madrid, but to beat them easily. Unless Schuster is playing mind games, his attitude is only going to lower Real Madrid's morale and make a difficult task almost impossible.

(Xinhua News Agency December 9, 2008)