However they face their toughest examination yet under the new regime of the former Brazil boss when they travel to Osasuna on Saturday.

The Pamplona-based side may be languishing in the middle of the table but have lost only one game this season in their intimidating home stadium.

"The public in the El Sadar are like a 12th player and when Madrid come to town they raise their voices even more," said Osasuna's Mexican coach Javier Aguirre.

"They know that some Real Madrid players are not very comfortable here, and its our job to make them even more uncomfortable. We are going to get the ball off them," warned Aguirre.

Nevertheless Aguirre was full of praise for the immediate impact that Luxemburgo has had at the Spanish giants.

"He's changed them, that's the truth. The players now know what they are doing. Before, their tactics were very hit-and-miss. I like and respect what he has done," said Aguirre.

Luxemburgo stands on the verge of making a piece of Real Madrid history if he can guide them to a win at Osasuna.

No other coach has won his first seven league games upon arrival at Real but, if history is to be made, Luxemburgo will have to find an adequate replacement for the suspended Luis Figo.

The most likely option is that England captain David Beckham will move out to the right wing and Danish international Thomas Gravesen will return to the midfield.

Gravesen started last Saturday's 4-0 thrashing of Espanyol on the bench, but later got his first goal for Real since moving from English Premiership side Everton.

Barcelona still top the Spanish first division with 51 points from their 22 games but they slumped to their first home defeat for more than a year when they went down 2-0 to Atletico Madrid last Sunday.

"That's the past now. In fact, I've already forgotten about it," said Barca's ever-cheerful Ronaldinho, ahead of their trip to Real Zaragoza on Saturday.

"We know that we have to play well against Zaragoza and then everybody will relax. I think we are going to demonstrate that there is nothing really wrong with us," added the World Player of the Year on Thursday.

Barca's central defender Oleguer Presas is doubtful after suffering bruising to his lower back against Atletico but Real Zaragoza will have to find replacements for three suspended players.

Among those suspended are the Zaragoza's impressive goal getter David Villa, who made his Spanish international debut in Wednesday's 5-0 thrashing of San Marino.

Villa and his two team-mates will have the time to observe the Zaragoza fans' protest at the perceived injustices they have suffered at the hands of the league referees.

More than 8,000 large red cards have been handed out.

"But we want to make it clear that our protest is not directed personally against Senor Carmona Mendez, the ref this coming Saturday," commented the Zaragoza supporters' club president Arnaldo Perez on Thursday.

"After all, Carmona Mendez was the referee of last year's Cup final when we beat Real Madrid, and we can't complain about that," added Perez.

Third-placed Valencia have fallen off the pace in the title race after going four games without a win, but the reigning Spanish champions will be out to end their barren streak against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.