Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano - Under-pressure Benitez looking ahead with confidence

Rafael Benitez insists he is the man to revitalise Real Madrid's La Liga season.

The pressure increased on the under-fire boss yet further as last weekend's 1-0 loss at Villarreal saw them drop five points behind leading pair Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Reports in Spain and France in the week claimed the Spaniard was on borrowed time at the Bernabeu, with Zinedine Zidane being lined up as a replacement.

But, ahead of Sunday's home meeting with relegation battlers Rayo Vallecano, Benitez said the situation at the club is far from bleak.

"The team qualified brilliantly for the Champions League (they face Roma in the last 16) and in La Liga everything could have changed in a few weeks," said Benitez.

"I am convinced that the side is going to do well and will battle for La Liga and the Champions League."

Madrid president Florentino Perez has denied the club are planning a move to make former coach Jose Mourinho their next manager following the Portuguese's departure from Chelsea.

Instead, the main threat to Benitez's position is reportedly closer to home in the form of Zidane, the coach of Real Madrid Castilla, the club's 'B' team.

But Benitez said the pair had a good understanding, saying: "He is a good manager. He is improving and we have a good, normal relationship, we exchange information to find out how players are faring."

Madrid have lost three of their last five games in the league, including an El Clasico thrashing by Barcelona, and Benitez praised the club's fans for their continued support.

"The Real Madrid fans know how important they are for us, they always have been for the side and now they have to forget about what else is going on and focus on supporting," he said.

"The fans have and will be crucial in every game."

Madrid are without only defenders Raphael Varane and Dani Carvajal for the clash, with all their big players at the other end of the pitch fit and raring to go.

"We have worked well in training, the side worked with quite a lot of intensity. We even had to reduce the time a little because the side was training with a lot of intensity for the day before a game," Benitez added.

"Therefore, I am quite optimistic. Mentally, we know when things aren't going well and of course the players will react".

Rayo should not provide too stiff an opponent for Madrid given they go into the match on the back of three straight defeats, a run which has seen them drop into the bottom three.

However, that does not mean Rayo have given up hope of getting anything at all from their short trip across the Spanish capital.

Midfielder Roberto Trashorras said on his club's website: "It's a great opportunity to play at a great ground and against a good team. It's an opportunity to make things right.

"At the end of the day it's a game of football, with the difficulties that come with trying to win at the Bernabeu, but anything can happen.

"We're going there with the intention of having a good game, recovering some good sensations and going out to win. Beyond the result we want to see a Rayo who play well, are brave and who make things difficult for Madrid."