Real Madrid look to bounce back from last weekend's defeat to Barcelona in `El Clasico' as they host struggling Almeria on saturday.
Madrid lost top spot to Barca following Sunday's defeat, and with Pep Guardiola's side beating Xerez in a rearranged game in midweek the gap between the top two now stands at five points.
That has increased the pressure on Madrid ahead of their match with Almeria, but Pellegrini claims their attitude remains unchanged.
However, Real Madrid must do without key duo Kaka and Lassana Diarra for Saturday's fixture.
Diarra, who has been a revelation for Madrid since joining them last winter, is missing through suspension following his late red card in the 1-0 defeat to Barca at the Nou Camp, while £56million summer signing Kaka is sidelined through injury.
Kaka has been increasingly influential over the last few weeks in the absence of the injured Cristiano Ronaldo and he could also be a doubt for next week's Champions League trip to Marseille, where Madrid need a point to assure themselves of a spot in the last 16. Fernando Gago is expected to return to the starting XI.
After losing their top striker, Alvaro Negredo, Almeria have been experiencing a few growing pains this season.
Sitting in 13th place in the table with just 12 points, it must be said that Hugo Sanchez’s side look a bit lost, having failed to make a push for a title this season by crashing out of the Copa del Rey against Segunda side Hercules. The Andalusian club have lost four of their six away games, while four defeats in their last five matches have left Hugo Sanchez's men just five points above the drop zone.
Hugo Sanchez, however, will be pleased with having recovered two crucial members of his back line in Chico and Guilherme. They will be welcome additions as Almeria prepare to face the attack-happy Real Madrid.
Also recovered in the squad is Crusat who has overcome his knock, but Nieto has been unable to make his way back from his setback. Finally, Quillo, David Rodriguez, Solari, Borzani, and Vargas are all out of the squad list because of their respective injuries.
With nothing to play for but pride, ‘Hugo’s’ side will look to make a match of it this Saturday with the hope of showing Real Madrid that there are more teams in La Liga than Barcelona.
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