Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes believes it is premature to suggest Real Madrid are in crisis with only just over two months of the season gone.

After winning their opening seven competitive games this season, their arch rivals and title challengers Madrid have hit a rough patch recently and on Tuesday were eliminated from the Copa del Rey after an embarrassing 4-1 aggregate defeat to third-tier side Alcorcon.

That has heaped the pressure back on Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini, but despite their cup exit the big-spending capital club are still well placed both domestically and in Europe.

Madrid are just a point behind leaders Barca in La Liga, while they are also joint-top of Group C in the Champions League with AC Milan.

With all that in mind, Valdes said of Madrid's plight: "You cannot talk of crisis at this stage. It's true they had a slip-up against Alcorcon, but they have a good team who know how to win matches. Maybe they need time to adapt."

It is has not all been plain sailing for Barca either, with last season's treble winners facing a fight to get through to the last 16 of the Champions League after winning just one of their opening four matches in Group F.

That has left Pep Guardiola's side in third place in the standings, a point behind leaders Inter Milan with a home match with the Italian giants and then a testing trip to Dynamo Kiev to come.

Barca may not be doing as well as they were last season results-wise, but Valdes believes his side are actually performing better.

"Barca are playing better than last year, altough our opponents know a little more about us. We've gained experience. We are on the right track," he told Catalan radio station RAC1.

Valdes also spoke about the death of his former Barca team-mate Robert Enke, the Germany goalkeeper who this week committed suicide at the age of 32.

Enke was at Barca during the 2002/03 season, and the long-serving Valdes said: "It's very tragic news that has affected us. I remember him fondly. He was shy and a good team-mate."