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UEFA Champions League: Real Madrid coach tips Lyon, but Raul on the mend [Tue Sep 13th, 2005]
Lyon, France (AFP) - Real Madrid coach Vanderley Luxemburgo has nominated hosts Lyon as favourites for the sides' UEFA Champions League group F encounter, following the Spanish giants' latest domestic setback.
Real, nine times European club champions, lost 3-2 to fellow Spanish league side Celta Vigo on Saturday, but Luxembourgo said he will not make major changes despite the possible absence of David Beckham and the definite absence of Ronaldo (suspended) and Zinedine Zidane (injured).
Given the unavailability of some of his bigger stars, the Real coach did not hesitate when asked who would start the first leg of the lucrative group phase encounter as favourites.
"It's no surprise to me at all that Lyon are favourites for the match," he said.
"They're a strong team who have a lot of options in attack. So far they're unbeaten (in the league) and they now have quite a bit of experience in the Champions League - in which they have major ambitions. So yes, for me Lyon are the favourites."
While Lyon, the four-time French champions, currently top the French league table unbeaten after six matches, Real sit just above mid-table after one win from two games in the Spanish league.
And although there's still everything to play for both at home and in Europe, Luxembourgo admits the Lyon challenge has not got them especially fired up.
"We're not particularly motivated to be playing this Champions League match, especially against a side who are so far unbeaten.
"But it's just one game - it's not the whole season which is at stake," he said.
Real have been hit hard by injuries to Zidane, who damaged his adductors playing for France last week, and Beckham, who has an injured thigh, will be a last minute selection, if at all.
Raul meanwhile appears to be on the mend.
"We have to wait till tomorrow (Tuesday) to see if we can field Beckham and Raul, although Beckham's injury is more worrying," said Luxembourgo.
"Still, we're confident. I have plenty of confidence in my players."
Raul, who has been suffering from a sore back, seems motivated to go out and grab the goal which would make hand him the new record for goals scored in Europe's premier club competition.
The Spaniard has scored 49 goals so far and needs only one more to leapfrog the legendary Alfredo Di Stefano.
"I feel much better," said Raul after training with the team. "The pain seems to have gone as quickly as it arrived, so I hope to be able to train tomorrow and to be playing later in the day."
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