Sporting Gijon boss Manolo Preciado has labeled Manuel Pellegrini’s treatment by the Spanish press a “witch hunt”.

Preciado was speaking to the media ahead of his side's visit to the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

"Real Madrid are constantly improving, although they have suffered two hard falls," the Sporting coach told AS, referring to Real's Copa del Rey and Champions League exits.

Preciado also confirmed that he plans to pressure defend Cristiano Ronaldo, but not to the extent Valladolid did last weekend.

"Everything, both the good and the bad, that he [Ronaldo] does is magnificent. He is one of the best in the world."

Preciado stresses that his team will visit the Bernabeu with the same train of thought as always: To go there unafraid and to play football to win, no matter the result, so as to "leave with their heads high".