Pepe keen to return

The 27-year-old missed much of last season with cruciate ligament damage and, although he recovered to feature for Portugal at the FIFA World Cup, has since suffered a calf injury.

He appears to have fully recovered, though, and could play in Madrid's second Primera Division match of the season against Osasuna this weekend.

"I feel fine and anxious to step onto the pitch and help the team," Pepe, whose side drew its opening fixture against Real Mallorca in his absence, told www.realmadrid.com. "I can't wait to play at the Bernabeu again. It is very important to me.

"We always try to win, but it isn't possible all the time. It is our duty to do a good job and fight to the end to take three points. That's what we'll do."

Pepe expects a tough challenge, especially from Osasuna strikers Walter Pandiani and Carlos Aranda.

"They are strong strikers," he said. "They like to fight hard.

"Osasuna have a good squad and a strong coach. They've been doing a good job.

"We have to try to control the pace to our games from the start."

City rival Atletico Madrid opened up with a 4-0 win over Sporting Gijon to top the table after a single match, and it travels to Athletic Bilbao.

Defender Alvaro Dominguez admits he has enjoyed sitting at the top of the pile over the international break.

"We've had this weekend off to enjoy the lead," he told www.clubatleticodemadrid.com

"It is always nice to be top but we know that we've had just a week of competition and it's too soon to boast."

Also, Barcelona hosts Hercules which, as one of the newly-promoted sides, is one of only two top-flight teams Lionel Messi has not scored against, while Racing Santander goes to Valencia.

Sevilla was a convincing victor, 4-1 at Levante, on opening weekend and it will look for a second win against Deportivo La Coruna.

Midfielder Didier Zokora is happy with the make-up of the team.

"I prefer 4-3-3 because we have more options," he said. "With Renato and (Luca) Cigarini we complement each other very well, because they are more creative and therefore I can do the defensive work.

"I am very pleased to be able to play next to them as the team is more offensive."

Elsewhere, Sporting hosts Mallorca, Malaga goes to Real Zaragoza, Getafe entertains Levante and Villarreal faces Espanyol.

Monday evening's (Tuesday morning AEST) match sees Almeria take on Real Sociedad.