New coach takes stage without Real Madrid's lead actors

Juan Ramon Lopez Caro stepped up to the big stage on Monday when he made his first public appearance as Real Madrid's caretaker coach.

"I am not used to speaking to crowds," he said nervously.

"I will certainly be doing my best as a coach but speaking at press conferences is not one of my strong points."

Lopez Caro, promoted from the 'B' team to become Real's sixth coach in two and a half years after Brazilian Vanderlei Luxemburgo was sacked on Sunday, said his first priority was Tuesday's final Champions League Group F match at Olympiakos Piraeus.

"Our aim is to win and to play good football," said Lopez Caro.

There is little doubt that, with Real already qualified and Olympiakos having no chance of making third spot in the group, the focus of the game will be on how the caretaker deals with the increased pressure.

"If Caro can convey his philosophy to the players, the results will follow and he will go down as a great coach," said Real midfielder Julio Baptista.

"Luxemburgo was a good coach but the results didn't come and he was replaced."

Baptista, one of the few regulars to have made the trip to Athens, added: "No players like sudden changes but we will try to stay united until everything is smoothed out".

Caro's first opportunity to impress his bosses has been tempered by the decision to rest several top players.

Raul and Jonathan Woodgate are injured and Guti is suspended but the Spaniards have also allowed Iker Casillas, Michel Salgado, Roberto Carlos, Ivan Helguera, Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Ronaldo to remain at home.

Olympiakos coach Trond Sollied said he would use the game to give fringe players more European experience.

"I wouldn't say I will experiment but I will use some players who have not had much of a chance this year," he said.

One of those to benefit will be Dani, his close-season signing from Espanyol who said he was not fooled by the absence of so many Real Madrid players.

"Madrid's philosophy is to win every game. Everyone at Madrid feels that way," said the former Spain international who played for Real in 1992-93.

"They are coming with a second team but that could be a double-edged sword because they will want to prove themselves."