Real chief calls for unity between the coach, players

REUTERS

Comments between Jose Mourinho and members of the team of Real Madrid President Florentino Perez MADRID have to make SNIPING a rare foray into the spotlight to call for unity in the club during the season run-in.

The nine-time European champion host Malaga in La Liga on Wednesday (1930 GMT), in a different order fixture as a result of their involvement in the May 17 King's Cup final against Atletico Madrid.

Second placed Real must win to leaders Barcelona waiting to be crowned champion, as they trail Tito Vilanova side by 11 points with four games left.

Anything less than a victory would Crown a fourth league gift Barca in five years without playing.

Speculation about the future of Mourinho has gone into overdrive since real were denied a place in the Champions League final by Borussia Dortmund last week, and the Portuguese has done little to destroy it.

Instead, stirred up simmering divisions at the club Mourinho last Friday by having a dig at popular club captain and keeper Iker Casillas he has dropped recently in favor of Diego Lopez.

The Bernabeu cheered Casillas the name when it was read out under the alternate members to the stadium before their league 4-3 win over Real Valladolid on Saturday.

Mourinho the name was whistled by a large part of the crowd.

Pepe, a player considered a favourite Mourinho, and Sergio Ramos have since made comments in support of Casillas in local media.

"We have two big challenges in front of us with the Euroleague (basketball) Final Four and the King's Cup final," Perez told reporters on Monday.

"We have to be United for the fans, and all of us. Our players will do that. " Real league challenge is effective, but they defend a 42-match unbeaten record in all competitions on the Bernabeu against a side suffering similar end-ofseason symptoms, Malaga.

Since their Champions League quarterfinals output, also to Dortmund, Manuel Pellegrini side have steadily slipped from contention for a top-four finish.

The Costa del Sol club are sixth with 53 points and go by rumors about the future of coach Pellegrini and maybe even the Qatari owners.

"We have at the end of the year good not to spoil the season that we have had," Brazil forward Julio Baptista's Malaga told reporters.

"It would be a shame not to get the points that would earn us a place in Europe.

"Although it is tough, we should about what happens off the field. There are many non-football related problems, but the most important ones are the football. " Third placed ATL. Visit relegation-threatened Celta Vigo on Wednesday (1730) looking for the last automatic qualifying berth for the Champions League mathematically safe.