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Baptism of fire for Ramos in 'El Clasico'

Real trail their arch rivals by nine points with 14 matches played, and with Barcelona having won all but one of their last 12 games, the former Sevilla coach faces a daunting return to Spanish league action at the Nou Camp on Saturday.

Ramos, a former coach of Barca's B side, moved quickly to shoot down Schuster's claim last weekend that it was impossible to beat the Catalans, insisting that Real have the quality to win in any stadium in the world.

Real's 3-0 Champions League victory over Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday, his first match in charge, had given the team a confidence boost that would help them on Saturday, he said.

"I was pleased with the attitude of the players tonight," he told reporters.

"Little by little, and as the players gain confidence in the new set up, I think things will improve.

"We have some superb players. They are all internationals and if they play at their best we have a chance to win."

Barcelona, by contrast, have close to a full squad available and coach Pep Guardiola rested eight first-choice players for Tuesday's Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk, including Lionel Messi and the league's top scorer Samuel Eto'o.

"We are really looking forward to the kickoff and full of confidence that we can win," said midfielder Xavi, who has been in sparkling form this term and was also rested on Tuesday.

The Spain international cautioned that it was impossible to write off Real at this stage of the season as they had recovered from a similar situation two years ago and gone on to win the title under Schuster's predecessor, Fabio Capello.

"I am feeling very good and already finding my rhythm again," the Turkish international said.

Valencia host struggling Espanyol on Saturday seeking to pick themselves up after last weekend's 4-0 humbling at the hands of Barcelona.