Madrid's "Galacticos" crash to earth
Real Madrid crashed out of the Champions League in Monte Carlo in what the Spanish press has claimed proved the failure of the club's superstar recruitment policy.
Real Madrid crashed out of the Champions League in Monte Carlo in what the Spanish press has claimed proved the failure of the club's superstar recruitment policy.
The first thing Manchester United deputy Carlos Queiroz asked for when he was brought in to replace old servant Vicente Del Bosque last June was a new defender.
But Madrid president Florentino Perez has pursued his policy of paying top dollar for the world's best forwards for the last four years and he told the Portuguese coach he would have to make do with what Del Bosque had.
Del Bosque, at the club for 30 years, had spent each summer for the previous three years asking for a centre-back, only for Perez to buy midfielders Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane and Brazil striker Ronaldo.
Manchester United's David Beckham, who missed the 3-1 defeat at Monaco on Tuesday because he was suspended, was the last big signing.
To make matters worse, Real off-loaded Fernando Morientes to Monaco and he was the hero as the French side, which survives despite paltry attendances, dumped out the nine-times European Cup winners.
"I take full responsibility for this defeat," said Queiroz who might find himself looking for a new job in the summer. It was the second year in a row Real have failed to reach the final. Juventus beat them in the semi-finals last year.
Queiroz blamed a congested fixture list for taking its toll.
But the Spanish press said Real simply did not have the fight and drive in them to beat inferior opponents.
Morientes said Monaco's success generated mixed emotions.
"It hurts to beat them, but I shouldn't think about that. I'm a professional, I wear Monaco's colours."
The Monaco defeat will turn up the pressure further on Real following their shock loss to Real Zaragoza in the Spanish Cup final and Valencia's dogged pursuit of them in the chase for the league title.
Another former Real player was enjoying European success on Tuesday. Tough-tackling midfielder Claude Makelele, sold to Chelsea to make way for Beckham, will now take on Monaco in the semi-finals after Chelsea knocked out Arsenal in a London derby.