Real Madrid players stuck by manager Bernd Schuster following a 0-1 defeat at Valladolid that put further pressure on the under-fire German coach.

Real's back-to-back Champions League losses to Juventus, an early exit in the Copa del Rey to a third-division club last week and the Spanish champion's erratic league play had already led to speculation that Saturday's match was a must-win for Schuster.

"You have to have confidence in the coaching staff and the players. It's not a good situation or accommodating when you lose but you have to go on working," striker Raul said. "This team will never put its head down. We're very happy with Schuster."

Sports daily AS reported yesterday that Schuster would manage this weekend's match against Recreativo Huelva, but that he might not last much longer than that -- after just over one season at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"I'm calm. We're working and looking to get the best out of the team," Schuster said after Saturday's game. "I'm not worried. I'm centering on my work. These are difficult moments, like last year when we saved it. Why can't we do it this year?"

Schuster replaced Fabio Capello to guide Real to its second straight league trophy last season.

Real stayed joint-third in the standings alongside Valencia, which lost at home to Sporting Gijon 2-3 on Saturday, on 23 points. Bitter rival and Spanish leader Barcelona can open up a five-point gap with victory at Recreativo.

"It's not a question of attitude because in this team we have a lot," said Gabriel Heinze, who was ejected in the closing stages. "We played an intelligent game against Valladolid but because of one error we lost. We're paying dearly for this fault."

The news isn't much better for next week's game against Recreativo with a number of Schuster's international players likely to be unavailable because of injuries and suspensions.

Striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is already out for at least six months after undergoing ankle surgery, while Arjen Robben, Mahamadou Diarra, Pepe, Ruben de la Red and Christoph Metzelder are all questionable. Heinze will miss out due to suspension.

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily November 17, 2008)