Ronald Koeman and Frank Rijkaard were both hugely successful players for Netherlands and Barcelona, but the Dutch coaching duo are experiencing difficult times as they struggle to match the high expectations at Valencia and Barcelona respectively.

Koeman has been Valencia coach for just three months, but angry fans called for his dismissal after the 2004 La Liga champions fell to 11th in the standings following last Saturday's 1-0 loss at Almeria. "I am not going to run away after a few months," said the former sweeper. "The club is in a crisis but now is not the time to look for someone to blame."

Koeman gained some breathing space on Tuesday when Valencia overcame Atletico Madrid to reach the semi-finals of the King's Cup, but they need to transfer that form to the league when they travel to Valladolid on Sunday. "It is not the time to start thinking about the Champions League. We are looking at the other end of the table," admitted Koeman.

Valencia, who have failed to win in their last nine league outings, are just five points clear of the relegation zone. Things are not as serious for Rijkaard with his Barcelona side perched second in the league, but the nine-point deficit behind leaders Real Madrid has prompted speculation that possible replacements, including former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, are aready being lined up.

Barcelona overcame Villarreal 1-0 in the quarter-final, second leg of their King's Cup on Thursday, following a goalless first leg, but their focus has already swtiched back to La Liga. "We won't throw in the towel," said midfield lynchpin Xavi.

"Of course nine points is a big gap but it could be worse. On paper Madrid are favourites but hopefully we can turn things on their head and in a few months hope people will be saying Barça are the title favourites."

Cannavaro caution
The champagne is on ice in Madrid with no-one really expecting champions Real to squander their nine-point cushion, but Italy's FIFA World Cup™ winner Fabio Cannavaro knows first hand that nothing is impossible.

"I remember one occasion at Juventus when we had a ten-point gap over AC Milan with five games left and in the end they finished above us," explained Cannavaro. "We should be more cautious than ever."

Real travel to Almeria on Saturday hoping for a ninth consecutive league win, although they have doubts over Ruud van Nistelrooy. The Dutch marksman, the club's top scorer with 12 goals, could not train due to a bout of gastroenteritis and is touch and go for the Almeria match.

While Real are powering to their title defence Atletico have looked a shadow of themselves since suffering the 2-0 derby defeat to Real 11 days ago. Two league defeats and the midweek cup exit to Valencia have shattered confidence as Atletico, currently fourth, try to get back on the right path at home against Real Murcia on Saturday.

"I hope the cup elimination does not affect the mood of the team," said Atletico coach Javier Aguirre. "We have to concentrate on the league and trying to secure a top-four spot."

With Real and Barcelona appearing to seal off the top two places, a five-way battle for the two other UEFA Champions League places has begun. Third-placed Villarreal, a point above Atletico, entertain Real Mallorca on Sunday while Espanyol, two points behind in fifth, travel to Getafe on the same day.

Surprise package Racing Santander lie sixth and travel to bottom side Levante on Sunday. Sevilla are eight points behind Atletico but showed last season, when they finished third, that they are capable of stringing a series of wins together and hope to make up ground when they face struggling Recreativo on Sunday.