MADRID - Real Madrid coach Wanderley Luxemburgo confirmed here on Saturday that the Spanish giants will adopt a policy off all-out attack against their bitter rivals Barcelona in Sunday's top of the table clash.
Luxemburgo has opted to give Michael Owen a rare start and former World Player of the Year Luis Figo has been dropped to make way for the England striker, who has got 10 goals this season despite his lack of playing time.
"Owen will start alongside Raul and Ronaldo," said Luxemburgo who made no attempt to disguise his tactics revealing that Ronaldo and Owen will be the target men with club captain Raul Gonzalez tucked in behind.
"But I haven't discussed with Owen why I've put him in the team in the same way I don't discuss why I've left out players," added the former Brazil boss.
Owen will be making just his sixth league start for Real since Luxemburgo took over at the helm in December but pressed his claims to play in one of the world's most famous football encounters with a goal against Albacete last Sunday.
Curiously, with Owen starting alongside compatriot and England captain David Beckham, it marks the first time in 75 league editions of the ancient feud that two Englishmen will play on the pitch at the same time.
Owen substituted a lacklustre Beckham in Real's crushing 3-0 defeat by Barca in their Nou Camp stadium earlier this season.
"I didn't like having to drop Luis but this is a classic and training on Friday told me everything I need to know after just 20 minutes," said the coach.
"It's normal that Figo would be annoyed. He's got history with this club and won many things but I've made this decision because Owen is in better form and I can't put 12 players out there.
"When I arrived here, I said at my very first press conference that the interests of the squad overrode any one player and his reputation. Nobody enjoys being on the bench but I'm thinking about the team as a whole and they have to accept it."
Barcelona have a nine point lead over Real at the top of the Spanish first division with eight games to go.
Luxemburgo knows that a victory over Real's traditional foes will be crucial to, not only keeping alive their slim chances of winning the league, but also cementing his own standing with Madrid's notoriously fickle fans.
The 3-0 defeat by Barca in November was, in many respects, the beginning of the end for Luxemburgo's predecessor Mariano Garcia Remon.
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard said on Saturday that club captain Carles Puyol and World Player of the Year Ronaldinho would both have late fitness tests on Sunday morning.
Puyol sprained his left ankle during Spain's 0-0 draw with Serbia-Montenegro 10 days ago while Ronaldinho has been suffering from stomach flu.
"Tomorrow (Sunday) I'll talk to both of them and decide. They are crucial but it's equally important that they don't take to the field in bad shape as we've got other games ahead of us," said Rijkaard.
Rijkaard was optimistic that the Brazilian, who scored in last November's encounter, would be fit but more pessimistic about Puyol's prospects.
"Ronaldinho is still a little bit weak but players of his calibre don't lose too much from this type of illness and another night's rest should aid his recovery," added the Dutchman.
Both sides will also have players absent because of suspension.
Barcelona will be without Deco while Real are missing Jose Maria 'Guti' Gutierrez and Walter Samuel.
Meanwhile, in Saturday's action, Numancia got their first win in seven games when Miguel Lopez-Cedron found the net four minutes from time to give the bottom club a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid.
Miguel knew little about the goal, a deflection from a close-range shot from Toche Verdu, who ironically is on loan from Atletico, and the visitors also protested that the scorer was offside with some justification.
Atletico will be left to regret their myriad of missed chances, which included a header from Salva Ballesta which hit the post just before half time.
The surprise defeat will dent Atletico's chances of getting into Europe next season after a good run which has seen them win three of their last four matches.
04/09/2005 20:16 GMT