MADRID: It may sound desperate but Real Madrid superstar Kaka hopes that bitter city rivals Atletico Madrid can do Los Blancos a favour by beating Barcelona at Vincente Calderon on Sunday.

KAKA: The match against Atletico is an important match for Real

"It would be nice if Atletico would lend us a hand," said Kaka, who hopes to cut the Catalans' lead down to two points sooner rather than later. "The next match is an important one."

Real are expected to beat bottom-placed Xerez in an away match on Saturday and that's why Atletico can do Real a rare favour. Kaka believes Real are finding their niche and are settling into their own style.

"The manager (Manuel Pellegrini) is working hard and this is serving us well. As for my position, I have always liked to play behind the strikers," said the Brazilian.

"The only thing we are lacking is to play a complete 90 minutes. It is a question of mentality and it's something that happens with the scoreline. In our last match against Espanyol we were up 2-0 at halftime and we relaxed a bit. We need to work hard so that it does not continue to happen."

The Brazilian also defended under-fire French striker Karim Benzema, who was substituted by top scorer Gonzalo Higuain, who had just recovered from an injury, early in the secondhalf of the Espanyol match.

"Benzema is important for Real because of his quality. He scores important goals, he is helping the team, and he is improving a lot. One has to remember that it is not easy to go to a new country and a new league and he is adapting just as the rest of the team is," he said.

Meanwhile, Benzema revealed concern that the imminent return of suspended Cristiano Ronaldo and Higuain could spoil a return to his old club Lyon next week in the Champions League.

Speaking to L'Equipe ahead of next week's round of 16 clash against the French club, Benzema was concerned for his first team place, admitting he may have to spend his return to Stade Gerland on the bench.

"It's a shame. I always say that a player who does not want to play should be devoted, as a professional I always am and I'm ready to play against Lyon," he said.

Despite appearing in 19 of Real’s 21 league games this season, Benzema has been in and out of the first team with Ronaldo and Higuain seemingly ahead of the 22-yearold in the pecking order.

Benzema went on to remind Pellegrini that he was fit and in good form, working hard for the team in Real's last two games against Deportivo and Espanyol respectively.

"I ran very well in those games and that benefits me in my game and in my movement," he said.