MADRID: Valencia manager Unai Emery believes that the presence of Raul (pic) in Schalke's side enhances their last 16 first-leg clash at the Mestalla tomorrow (3.45am).

The legendary Real Madrid striker will make his first competitive appearance on Spanish soil since his departure from Santiago Bernabeu last summer.

Emery admitted that the 33-year-old's return is intriguing, but that the Bundesliga giants also have other talented individuals at their disposal.

"Raul magnifies this tie, and also having two other former Real Madrid players, Cristoph Metzelder and Klaas- Jan Huntelaar, in addition to Raul, indicates the potential of their team.

"Huntelaar and Raul are scoring goals, but we always know our opponents as well as possible. Our defenders will have information on them, and they will know what Schalke's attackers are capable of doing."

Emery does not believe there is a favourite to progress from the tie.

"Real and Barcelona are favourites for the Champions League, since they have differences in equality from Inter Milan and Manchester United.

"Our tie is 50-50, we believe in our potential, and we respect Schalke and know that to win this round, we will have to play very well."

Valencia defender Ricardo Costa is aware of the threat posed by Schalke's offensive players as he prepares for the match.

Schalke arrived at the Mestalla with a band of around 3,000 followers who have travelled with the team to Spain — hoping to secure a positive result to take back to Veltins Arena in the return leg.

Portuguese Costa, who previously played in German football with Wolfsburg, is wary of the attacking options possessed by their opponents and how crucial it will be not to concede an away goal.

"We want to win, we have to remember that there are two matches and want to avoid our rivals scoring.

"Raul, with Huntelaar, are the stars of the team, but you also cannot forget Jefferson Farfan. However, the important thing is to work for 90 minutes and not give up.

"If we play with alertness, we will have possibilities. We must keep our concentration, play well, and have a little luck. If we are better, we will progress," he said.

Valencia striker Roberto Soldado also warned his teammates that Schalke will give them all they can handle.

Soldado, who has scored five goals in the competition this season, is aware of the perils of underestimating the visitors.

"We know Schalke are a team who won't make anything easy for us. We must focus on our own game and style.

"This is the most important match of our lives and we must go for the jugular in order to try to take control of the tie.

"This game is so important that we must erase the statistics from our minds and just go out and give our all. We're playing at home and I'm sure if we continue on the path that got us here it will serve us well. We have the confidence and we need to use that.

"Our fans will be sure to make a huge effort. They always respond well and I'm certain they'll help us again to get the right result."

MADRID: Barcelona winger Pedro insists the title race is not over, as rivals Real Madrid cut the Blaugrana's lead to five points with a 1-0 victory over Espanyol on Sunday.

The Catalans could only draw 1-1 with Sporting Gijon in an away match on Saturday, opening the door for Los Blancos to narrow the gap with a battling win at Cornella-El Prat.

"We knew we still had the league to win, even when we were seven points ahead. I always have, because Real will not give up. We are calm, because we are still five points ahead and we intend to keep that."

The 23-year-old now is looking forward to their last 16 first-leg Champions League encounter with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Thursday (3.45am), and is aware of the magnitude of the task at hand.

"It will be a very difficult tie. These games will be more physical and difficult than last year. And I hope that Cesc Fabregas eventually comes here, because he is a great player."

Meanwhile, Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas made it clear that he should not have been sent off against Espanyol.

The Spain international was shown a red card by referee Mateu Lahoz for a foul on Jose Callejon outside Real's penalty box in the second minute although replays showed that there was minimal contact.

And Casillas hit out at Lahoz's decision.

"My red card was dubious, but the referee deemed it so and we had to accept it," he told the club's website.

"The important thing is the team played a phenomenal game and deserve a 10 out of 10. Our quality came through and we took three important points home with us."

The 29-year-old also praised his replacement Antonio Adan.

"Adan played a solid game. He has a bright future," said Casillas.