The Demise Of The Galaticos

I decided to not watch the Liverpool vs Real game last night, mainly due to the fact that I had already made plans and also because every time I watch Liverpool in the Champions League, they always find a way to pull something out of the bag. And in the words of Cilla Black, "Surprise Surprise", an emphatic 4-0 win, which was fully justified.

Now, most of the British press have gone for the "Rafa's done it again" sort of story but I'd rather focus on the feeble opposition (I watched the highlights and I saw enough), the once brilliant Real Madrid

At the beginning of the decade, Los Blancos were feared by effectively all European teams due to their star studded line-up: Zidane, Figo, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo, Raul (and possibly David Beckham) to name but a few. Even some players, who weren't renowned for selling shirts, such as Claude Makelele (who i rate very highly, maybe not so much now) and Michael Salgado were key to the system that Real Madrid played.

But now, the team looks a shadow of its once great side and Real Madrid haven't made it past the last 16 since 2004. Real Madrid Sporting Director Pedja Mijatovic summed up what happened last night with this quote, "We were nowhere to be seen. And we should be very worried because we have left a very bad image of ourselves."

There are many problems and many people to blame for this. Ramon Calderon is one of them. The former Real President who promised that Real would return to their 2000-2003 glory period by announcing several players on his wish-list. Kaka, Cesc Fabregas and Cristiano Ronaldo, all rumoured to have agreed deals with him but nothing ever materialised. I feel sorry for Real fans because he promised them so much and all they got Higuain and Gago. To be fair he has made some good signings, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Arjen Robben for example, but the majority have been flops.

His best and worst decisions revolve around one man, the current England manager, Fabio Capello. First, making him manager was a brilliant decision especially after the debacle of Carlos Queiroz (a great assistant but never a great manager) and various others. He tried to change the system by being defensively minded, like any Italian would. But he was criticised by many pundits for ruining what Real was based on - stylish football. He still won the league in the 06/07 season on the last day and was sacked in the aftermath, pretty illogical if you ask me. Hey, what is Real's foolishness is England's possible glory.

I think the only way Real can once again become a European great is by focusing on their defensive frailties. It was evident last night that they couldn't defend. They brought in 2006 World Player of the Year Fabio Cannavaro and Gabriel Heinze (I'll leave my problems with him aside for now) to bolster their aging defence. It hasn't worked at all and it isn't helped the fact that Juande Ramos is their manager.

Another issue is passion. Only Iker Casillas had a good game last night, it should have a been rout, but he was in inspired form. The rest of the team just sat back and allowed Liverpool to do what they do best. I think many of the squad should look to Alfredo Di Stefano, a Real legend who scored 216 goals in 282 appearances, for their inspiration

To be fair, Real are the current holders of La Liga but there isn't much chance of them retaining their title with Barcelona as runaway leaders. It seems that they are trying a Wenger method of building youth players up to become future greats. But like Wenger has found this season, you need experienced players in the side as well, or you become lambs to the slaughter. I'm sure in a few years, Real Madrid will be back among the greats of Europe but without change, that won't happen.

Image credited to Acebuche at http://www.flickr.com/photos/24957237@N04/2551250256/