Valdano Takes Barca Swipe

Real Madrid director of sport Jorge Valdano has defended Juan Roman Riquelme and taken a little swipe at the way Barcelona played their football last season.

"I don't think his failure at Barcelona should be taken into account," Valdano said of the Argentine who has been sent out on loan to Villarreal.

"Riquelme is a player who needs freedom, he didn't get that at Barcelona where they had rigid tactics and a systematic trainer (Louis Van Gaal) who insisted the players stuck to their pre-match instructions."

"At Villarreal he is happier and when he played against us I thought he was the best man on the pitch."