Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes believes Pep Guardiola's decision this week to extend his contract until the end of next season has removed an unwelcome distraction for league leaders.
"Now we will only talk about football," the Spain number two, who has conceded only 11 goals in 22 league matches this season, told a news conference on Thursday.
"I cannot imagine a Barca without Guardiola," he added. "Barca must always have the best coach and he is the best."
The club's 13 internationals all returned from this week's friendlies unscathed, while central defender Carles Puyol and forward Jeffren are continuing their return from injury and have been left out of the squad.
Real's hopes of ending Barca's two-year reign as Spanish champions were dented when they drew 1-1 at Almeria and lost 1-0 at Osasuna on their last two trips outside Madrid.
"He's like the father who tells his son to go to school and and have fun," Adebayor, who moved from Manchester City last month on loan until the end of the season, said on Real's website. "I feel like a new-born baby and I am having fun."
Espanyol defender David Garcia is a serious doubt for the game at the club's new Cornella-El Prat stadium after he fractured bones in his nose in training.
Villarreal's players must learn the lessons from last weekend's 1-0 defeat at home to local rivals Levante if they are to make it into the Champions League next season, according to goalkeeper Diego Lopez.
"It's normal that we lose one day, although we did not think it would be against Levante," Lopez said on Villarreal's website ahead of Sunday's match at struggling Deportivo La Coruna.
"Realistically we are a long way from getting into the Champions League," Atletico defender Juan Valera told a news conference on Thursday.
"We know that if we don't beat Valencia our goal will be much tougher," he added. "The club has to be playing alongside Europe's best and we all want to play in the Champions League."
