Real Madrid and Barcelona have little time to dwell on this week's UEFA Champions League setbacks as the latest El Clasico takes centre stage on Saturday.

Both clubs have work to do to set up a punters' dream European final in Munich after suffering defeats in the first legs of their semi-finals in midweek. But thoughts of how Real can overturn a 2-1 deficit against Bayern Munich and of how Barça might hit back from 1-0 down in their tie with Chelsea will have to wait.

The two Spanish giants meet at the Nou Camp in La Liga on Saturday evening and the stakes could not be higher. Real travel to their most bitter rivals with a four-point lead at the top of the La Liga table, but having trailed by ten at one stage, European champions Barça have momentum.

The Catalans' midfield inspiration Andres Iniesta was frustrated by the loss at Chelsea, where a Didier Drogba goal proved decisive, but is determined to bounce back quickly. The Spain FIFA World Cup™ winner said: "That is the only thing that leaves a bad taste in the mouth: the failure to score.


Football carries on, the league is still going and we'll look ahead to the next match.
Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid defender

"We generated enough chances to have won the game. But we can't feel sorry for ourselves. What we have to do now is think about the games that lie ahead."

Victory for Real would put them in sight of the finish line with games against Sevilla, Athletic Bilbao, Granada and Mallorca to come. But another inspired display from Pep Guardiola's side, who have won their last 11 games, would set up a tense finale.

Real defender Sergio Ramos is determined not to be affected by the last-gasp loss to Bayern at the Allianz Arena. Ramos said: "Football carries on, the league is still going and we'll look ahead to the next match, but we also need to rest as we have worked very hard."

Valencia seek rebound
Elsewhere in La Liga, Valencia will look to recover from a 4-0 hammering by Espanyol to retain their slender advantage in the race for third spot. Los Che, one of three Spanish clubs also involved in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals this week, lead fourth-placed Malaga by a point ahead of a visit from Real Betis.

Malaga travel to sixth-placed Osasuna, while Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao return to domestic matters from European competition to face Espanyol and bottom side Racing Santander respectively.

Sporting Gijon, eight points from safety, host Rayo Vallecano while the other side in the relegation zone, Real Zaragoza, travel to Mallorca. European hopefuls Levante face a difficult trip to Sevilla while Real Sociedad host Villarreal and Granada take on Getafe.