Madrid - Bernd Schuster is walking on a slippery tightrope at troubled Real Madrid. One more false move and the German coach could fall off the thin rope - and go crashing down towards the sack.
Wednesday's 2-0 defeat at home to slick Juventus left the Bernabeu faithful baying for Schuster's blood. His team selection was questionable, his tactics predictable - and his substitutions late and ineffective.
To be fair to Schuster, his battle plan went up in smoke even before the game began, when the brittle Arjen Robben pulled a muscle in the pre-match warm-up.
The Dutch winger will almost certainly miss Saturday's Liga match against midtable Malaga. Schuster has no other genuine wingers in his squad, since Robinho decamped for Manchester City.
"The Robben injury was very unlucky for us," said captain Raul Gonzalez straight after the defeat.
Royston Drenthe was drafted in against Juventus, and once again did not look like Real Madrid quality.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Pepe, Mahamadou Diarra and Miguel Torres are also struggling with injuries.
Anything less than a convincing defeat of Malaga will again bring the wrath of the Bernabeu down on Schuster. His team are two points behind leaders Barcelona, who are at home to Valladolid later on Saturday.
Barca failed to score their 13th consecutive win in all competitions on Tuesday, being held to a 1-1 draw by FC Basel.
Even worse news was the hamstring injury suffered by Andres Iniesta, which will keep him out for around six weeks.
The good news for Barca coach Josep Guardiola is that forwards Eidur Gudjohnsen and Pedro Dominguez are fit again.
On Sunday second-placed Villarreal are at home to lively Almeria.
Villarreal are just one point behind Barca and one ahead of Real.
Valencia - joint third with Real - will be trying to get back to winning ways away to Getafe.
Fifth-placed Sevilla, without suspended Luis Fabiano, are at home to Recreativo Huelva, whilst sixth-placed Atletico Madrid are away to bottom team Osasuna.
Osasuna have lost all three matches since former Spain manager Jose Antonio Camacho took over from Jose Angel Ziganda.
Athletic Bilbao, second from bottom, are away to Mallorca, whilst fellow strugglers Numancia face Betis. Racing Santander will take on local rivals Sporting Gijon, and Deportivo Coruna will face off against Espanyol.
