Juve's Capello wary of wounded Real
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-22 16:06

Juventus coach Fabio Capello believes Real Madrid's home defeat by Athletic Bilbao at the weekend will make them even more determined to win Tuesday's Champions League clash at the Bernabeu.

Juventus striker Alessandro del Piero (R) stretches with team-mate Gianluca Pessotto at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, February 21, 2005. Real Madrid faces Juventus in a Champions League clash on Tuesday. [Reuters]

"They were missing four important first-choice players on Saturday, so for me that game wasn't a true reflection of the strength of Real Madrid," Capello told a news conference at the Bernabeu on Monday.

"Tomorrow's game will be completely different and Real will be a different team."

The 2-0 loss to Bilbao was the first blemish on Real's league record since coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo took charge at the end of last year, but Capello thinks the Brazilian will ensure the Spaniards are tougher opponents than when the draw was made.

"Real have taken a big step forward since Luxemburgo has taken charge," said the Italian, who led Real to the Spanish title in 1997. "The team now play a different style in terms of tactics and defence."

Capello said the fact that Real had rested Ronaldo, Raul and Zinedine Zidane for the Bilbao game showed how seriously the Spaniards were taking the first knockout round first-leg tie.

Juventus knocked Real out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage two seasons ago, losing 2-1 at the Bernabeu and winning 3-1 at the Delle Alpi.

"I think Luxemburgo left them out because they've got a lot of respect for us," he said. "But I've seen the video of the game and when they came on the pitch in the second half Real were a completely different side and looked far more dangerous.

"Madrid have some great players who are capable of winning a game at any time, but we have plans that we hope will stop them, but of course I'm not going to talk about that now."

Capello refused to be drawn on whether former European Footballer of the Year Pavel Nedved would play after a month out with a knee injury.

Juve travelled to Spain without leading striker David Trezeguet, who pulled out because of a bout of flu, and defender Paolo Montero, who is nursing a thigh injury.

Trezeguet's absence gives Alessandro Del Piero a chance to try and repeat his goal-scoring performance the last time the two sides met in European competition.

The Italian striker said, however, that past performances would provide no guide as to what will happen.

"I'm really proud to be able to play in tomorrow's game, but my main concern is to perform well on the pitch. Many things have changed from two years ago -- this is a different game with different players."

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