Luxemburgo admits Real weakness

March 30, 2005

Real Madrid coach Wanderley Luxemburgo has admitted that he warned club officials about the weaknesses in the squad when he was appointed in December.

The Brazilian told radio station Onda Madrid: "I knew this squad would have problems facing up to playing on Sundays and Wednesdays.

"I said that to director of football Arrigo Sacchi and vice-president Emilio Butragueno when I met with them.

"The side isn't balanced enough to play so many games in tough competitions.

Luxemburgo is Real's third coach of the season, after Mariano Garcia Remon, while Jose Antonio Camacho was in charge at the start of the season.

"I would like to change the positions of some of the players but I just can't do it," he added.

Real are currently 11 points behind leaders Barcelona in La Liga and they have been eliminated from the Champions League.

However, Luxemburgo has denied reports that he was told that he must include some of the club's high-profile players in his side on a regular basis.

"No-one from the club, not even the president himself, has told me that David Beckham has to play or Ronaldo has to play," he said.

"I have absolutely no doubt that I can do well at Real because my teams have always been competitive, aggressive and have played good football," he stated.