The international break has allowed Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini some much needed breathing space.

Pellegrini has come under increasing pressure following a relatively poor run in which Real have won only four of their previous nine encounters.

The Chilean was beseiged by journalists upon his arrival in Santiago, where he is attending a family engagement.

Asked if he was feeling the pressure of coaching the los Blancos, Pellegrini said he knew what to expect before he took up the job. "I was at Villarreal for five years and I saw what was happening with every Real Madrid coach, like [Fabio] Capello or [Bernd] Schuster. It's very difficult to be subjected to such questioning [of your abilities]," he told Chilean publication Marca.

"I know there is always pressure at Real Madrid, but the criticisms don't affect me at all," he said, before adding that he is confident of leading the Bernabeu outfit to glory in both La Liga and UEFA Champions League.

"The press have always been very demanding with Real Madrid. [But] we have an outstanding squad and are we working well. We are leading in the Champions League and are a point off Barcelona in the league."

Real face Racing Santander in their next Liga outing before taking on Barcelona in the 'el Clasico' - an encounter that will once again pit Cristiano Ronaldo against Lionel Messi.