Real Madrid dangerous this year

Barcelona forward Pedro has voiced his belief that Real Madrid will provide a stern test for the Champions League holders this season and that he expects a tough campaign
The Santiago Bernabeu side were unable to trouble the Catalans in La Liga in 2010-11, but Pedro expects them to be a bigger threat this term.

"Real Madrid will be even more dangerous than last year. Their players are really fired up now and I think that it will be a long and tough season for us," Pedro was quoted as saying by El Mundo Deportivo.

The Spain international then looked ahead to Sunday's Spanish Supercopa first leg between both clubs and made it clear that Barcelona are keen to come out winners.

"We really want to win the Supercopa. It's an important objective for us. We travel to Madrid with a title at stake and there will be a lot of tension. It will be a great test for the team.

"Real play some very good football. They have a lot of fast players and it will be difficult to stop them. We have to be very alert of their counter-attacks."

The first leg will be played at Santiago Bernabeu on August 14 with the return being held at Camp Nou three days later