Juve boss Capello fears Luxemburgo effect at Real

Juventus coach Fabio Capello admits that the arrival of Vanderlei Luxemburgo at Real Madrid has made this month's Champions League clash a far tougher proposition.

Capello, who lead Madrid to the Spanish title in 1997, returns as boss of the current Serie A leaders on February 22, at the start of the knock-out rounds of the competition.

But Capello recognises that since Brazilian Luxemburgo replaced Mariano Garcia Remon as Madrid coach in December, triggering a six-match unbeaten run in the league, Real are a changed side.

"Real Madrid worry me much more now that Luxemburgo has taken over, because they seem to have taken on a new identity," Capello told spanish daily EL Pais.

"Luxemburgo's arrival is notable because for the first time in a number of years they are fighting to win the ball back after they lose it. Also, they are reorganising themselves and coming back to help their defenders much more, which is something they were not doing a month ago."

In stark contrast to Real Madrid's new found form Capello's Juventus have just stumbled to consecutive defeats to Sampdoria and Palermo, though they remain two points clear of AC Milan at the top of Serie A.