体坛英语新闻：Real Madrid in positive mood to receive Mallorca

MADRID, March 15 (Xinhua) -- It would be fair to say that despite the cold weather than has enveloped the Spanish capital in the month of March, 'everything is smelling of roses for Real Madrid.'

Jose Mourinho's side have qualified for the final of the Copa del Rey, which will be played on their home ground against Atletico Madrid, while they have also made into the quarter-finals of the Champions League, where this Friday they were drawn to face Galatasaray in the last eight.

Although assistant coach, Aitor Karanka told the press that the round would be more complicated than they were suggesting, there is also little doubt that every other side in the draw would have been delighted to meet the Turks at this stage of the competition.

Meanwhile last weekend's hard-fought win away to Celta Vigo lifted Real Madrid ahead of Atletico into second place in the BBVA Primera Liga, all be it 13 points behind Barca.

This Saturday Mourinho's men can be expected to narrow that gap, temporarily at least to 10 points as they entertain relegation threatened Mallorca in the Bernabeu.

Mallorca travel to Madrid third from bottom of the table and still in the relegation zone, but two wins in two games have done wonders for what looked like a virtually impossible situation and Gregorio Manzano's side are now just two points behind Zaragoza and safety.

Manzano's return for a third spell at the club was not popular with the majority of the Mallorca supporters, but the fact is that after an away win in Granada and a home victory against Sevilla last weekend, the club is now in with a chance of salvation and the coach admits that the morale in the dressing room has improved.

He will be hoping that Madrid's morale has risen to such an extent that their hosts this Saturday will be suffering from overconfidence. That is unlikely but what is clear is that Mourinho doesn't believe Real Madrid can overhaul Barcelona and will be now using the league to keep players fit for Europe, while trying to ensure that nobody gets burned out.

That means players such as Kaka are likely to continue appearing in the side, while left back Marcelo gets the opportunity to get back to match fitness after looking heavy in recent weeks.

Young striker Alvaro Morata could also get another chance to impress after positive displays in recent weeks, while Mourinho will be hoping strikers Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema will find the sharpness in front of goal which has deserted them in recent weeks.

It is hard to predict Mourinho's starting 11, but one thing is certain and that is Cristiano Ronaldo will play some part in the game as he works on his competitive edge.

This is the last game for a fortnight as the following weekend is devoted to international games, so Madrid need to prepare for their Champions League game at home to Galatasaray which comes straight afterwards, so although we may not see Madrid's strongest 11, it will be a powerful side to take on Mallorca, who are hoping for a minor miracle.