Real's plans for seclusion come unstuck

Real Madrid's plan to seek three days of peace and seclusion at the luxury resort of La Manga appears to have come unstuck after some 1,200 fans attended their first "closed-door" training session on Thursday.

A handful of police were unable to prevent the crowds of adoring fans from pouring into the resort and watching the players from behind the fences that surround the training pitch.

Real had decided to head off to the resort in an attempt to isolate the team from prying eyes following their recent string of humiliating defeats.

Fans had jeered the players at training in Madrid on Tuesday and held up offensive signs after the team relinquished the leadership of Spain's Primera Liga following a 3-0 home thrashing by Osasuna at the weekend.

In recent weeks, the team has also tumbled out of the Champions League at the hands of unfancied Monaco and lost the final of Spain's King's Cup to underdogs Real Zaragoza.

Some 300 fans normally attend the club's open-door sessions in their training grounds in a suburb to the north of Madrid.

Real, who are two points behind league leaders Valencia with six games to play, will remain at La Manga until Friday to prepare for this weekend's local derby against Atletico Madrid.