Competition for places tougher than ever: Real boss
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-08-04 11:19

MADRID, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Competition for places at Real Madrid will be stiffer than ever next season and leading players will have to get accustomed to spending some time on the bench, coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo said on Wednesday.

"Not everyone will be able to play all the time," the Brazilian told a news conference in Madrid before the squad departed for a pre-season training camp in Austria.

"There is a lot more quality in the squad and a lot more competition, so we can afford to rotate the players a bit more. It's going to be a very demanding season."

Luxemburgo's squad could, however, soon be shorn of two big names in Portuguese winger Luis Figo and England striker Michael Owen although the Brazilian is working on the assumption that they will remain at the club.

Figo, who lost his place in the starting line-up in the closing stages of last season, made a flying visit to Italy to negotiate with Inter Milan on Tuesday, but has yet to agree terms with the Serie A side.

Owen, whose future has been cast into doubt after the club's decision to sign Brazilian forwards Julio Baptista and Robinho, released a statement saying he had spoken to some Premier League clubs about the possibility of leaving Real.

"Figo is still a Real Madrid player," said Luxemburgo. "He has been in talks, but until something is decided he will remain with us just like any other player.

"Owen also has a contract with Real and I am counting on all the players that are at my disposition. Anything else is nothing to do with me."

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