Schuster relishes return to former stomping ground

Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster returns to face his former club Getafe for the first time in the Primera Liga today.

The German was particularly successful against his current employers, the league leaders and Spanish champions, steering the modest club from the south of Madrid to a 1-0 win and a 1-1 draw at the Coliseum in league games over the last two seasons.

Former Denmark international Michael Laudrup stepped in to replace Schuster when he left in July, but has yet to record his first win in the league and the club have slipped to second bottom in the standings.

"It will be a special game for me because I had two very enjoyable years there," Schuster told a news conference yesterday.

"They are playing well and creating chances but the ball isn't going in, it's just a question of time. I have told my team this. We need to prepare ourselves for another very difficult day like the ones Real have had there in the past."

Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has been carrying a minor injury, has been rested from the squad for today's match, while defenders Pepe and Christoph Metzelder are still injured.