Real Madrid face what is perhaps the first real test to their title credentials as they travel to Barcelona to face Espanyol.

Madrid beat Deportivo La Coruna 3-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first round of matches prior to the recent international break, while Espanyol went down by a single goal at Athletic Bilbao.

But Manuel Pellegrini's side will face a Catalan outfit keen to mark their first competitive match at the new Cornella-El Prat stadium with a win, especially following the death of captain Dani Jarque last month.

Jarque led out Espanyol in the first ever match at Cornella, when Espanyol beat Liverpool 3-0 in a great performance at the beginning of August.

But less than a week later, the central defender died of a heart attack and further tributes are expected tomorrow.

Pellegrini expects a tough match in Barcelona.

"We face a very good rival and it's not going to be an easy match; we will have to concentrate and play at a high level for the 90 minutes," he said.

Pellegrini had looked set to recall Sergio Ramos to his side after the defender recovered from a bout of tendinitis which has kept him on the sidelines for more than two months.

But the Chilean coach is unwilling to take any risks with the Spain defender and has decided to give the player another week to build up his fitness.

"Sergio has trained with the team; there are plenty of games and he should be back next Sunday (against Xerez)," he said.

And the former Villarreal boss, who welcomes back Ruud van Nistelrooy and Mahamadou Diarra to the squad after both missed the entire second half of last season through injury, says he has faith in all of his 23 players.

"Whichever players from the 23 I pick, we will have an 11 that offers guarantees - that's why they are in the squad, to try and maintain the level that Real Madrid demands," he said.

Pellegrini lost most of his squad during the international break, although Kaka was given permission by the Brazilian football federation (CBF) to return early as he was suspended for his nation's second qualifier against Chile in midweek.

Madrid face FC Zurich in the Champions League on Tuesday and Pellegrini will also have one eye on that match.

And the Chilean admits that, in such a long season, rotation is inevitable.

"Everybody would like to have a fixed XI, but we know that in this type of championship it's impossible, not only because of selection choices, but also because of the amount of games (we have to play)," he said.

Pepe is still suspended and misses out once again, while Fernando Gago and Rafael van der Vaart have been left out of the squad to face Espanyol.

Following the death of Jarque, veteran midfielder Ivan de la Pena was installed as captain of Espanyol.

And the former Barcelona player, who is a doubt for tomorrow's match, believes beating Madrid would be the perfect way of paying tribute to his former team-mate and friend.

"The best tribute we could give Jarque would be to beat Real Madrid," he said.

De La Pena, however, admits that in the current Madrid side, danger comes from multiple sources.

"Any Madrid player can decide a game - (Karim) Benzema, Kaka, Cristiano (Ronaldo), Raul... and Xabi Alonso adds a real balance to the team," he said.

Ronaldo has been harshly criticised for his performances in a Madrid shirt up until now, but De La Pena says the former Manchester United winger has nothing to prove.

"I saw him play against Deportivo La Coruna and I liked what I saw - Cristiano Ronaldo has nothing to prove," he said.

David Garcia is doubtful for Espanyol, but recent signing Fernando Marques could make his debut against Real.