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JOSE MOURINHO
UNDER FIRE AT REAL MADRID
Barcelona looked back to their brilliant best as they trounced a mediocre Malaga side in Andalucia, a game which saw the Catalans banish their recent away-day blues in La Liga, and one which heralded a return to scoring form on the road for hat-trick hero Lionel Messi.
At Real Madrid, however, things were rather different.
The capital club also claimed a 4-1 success, over Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu, but while Catalans were cheering, the Castilians were jeering.
For while Barca eclipsed their Andalusian rivals virtually from start to finish, Madrid stumbled out of the blocks against their Basque opponents, falling behind to Fernando Llorente's early goal and looking lucky to escape a second in an error-strewn opening period.
Two penalties converted by Cristiano Ronaldo brought calm in the second half, but there was also a storm: Jose Mourinho was jeered by large sections of the Santiago Bernabeu crowd for the first time. Wednesday night's Clasico frustration had turned to mass irritation in Chamartin.
Prior to the Clasico on Wednesday night, there had been tangible tension in the air at Madrid's famous home, an apprehension and almost an air of expectancy that beating Barcelona would again prove beyond them. Those fears were confirmed, too, as Madrid saw an early lead wiped out and lost 2-1 to the eternal enemy in the sides' Copa del Rey quarter-final first-leg encounter.
But as the teams were announced in the Clasico, there was another notable nuance: Mourinho received a bigger cheer than any of his players. Madrid's fans were backing their boss.
What they witnessed after that, however, made many change their minds. A sterile showing devoid of confidence and creativity ensued, in an ultra-defensive display which betrayed the traditions of this great club. Madridistas were hurt.
Then there was the shame of Pepe's sickening stamp on Messi, plus newspaper reports revealing a rift between Mourinho, captain Iker Casillas and defender Sergio Ramos. Madrid fans were observing it all; they were looking - but they were not liking.
So on Sunday, it was only the ultras backing Mourinho, with large sections of the Santiago Bernabeu turning on the coach they have so far largely backed through thick and thin in the belief that he can be the man to break Barcelona's stranglehold in Spain and Europe.
Mourinho brought back Marcelo, Kaka and Mesut Ozil, with some success for all three as the Brazilian full-back opened the scoring with a delightful goal, his compatriot won the first penalty and the German produced a performance which suggests he should never be left out of this team. There was also a start for Esteban Granero, a bit-part player in 2011-12. Ramos and Casillas were there, too, although Pepe - notably - was not.
Marca called it a leader's reaction, but Madrid had been on the ropes early on and needed Oscar De Marcos' miss and the midfielder's subsequent second-half sending-off to really rally and respond to their fans, those harshest of critics. And they will take some convincing yet.
In the meantime, Madrid's five-point league lead remains intact, but Messi's terrific triple in Malaga signalled plenty of intent on the part of Barcelona that there is still a long way to go in this title race.
Messi had hit just one league goal on the road all season, while Barca had dropped 11 points away from Camp Nou. But buoyed by their Clasico success on Wednesday, the Catalans strolled to a comprehensive victory on Sunday, with Carles Puyol, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas all left on the bench to rest, too.
Keep winning the Clasico clashes and Barca's self-esteem will grow and grow. Continue losing them and Madrid's crisis of confidence will only be exacerbated. It may have been all 4-1 on Sunday, but it certainly wasn't one for all - not at the Bernabeu anyway. Mourinho's Madrid need a makeover and it needs to start, of all places, at Camp Nou on Wednesday night.
Jose Mourinho under fire at Real Madrid
All 4-1, but not one for all
Posted: 2012-01-23 11:52
Both teams won 4-1, but the scoreline barely begins to tell the
story. Barcelona looked back to their brilliant best as they trounced a mediocre Malaga side in Andalucia, a game which saw the Catalans banish their recent away-day blues in La Liga, and one which heralded a return to scoring form on the road for hat-trick hero Lionel Messi.
At Real Madrid, however, things were rather different.
The capital club also claimed a 4-1 success, over Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu, but while Catalans were cheering, the Castilians were jeering.
For while Barca eclipsed their Andalusian rivals virtually from start to finish, Madrid stumbled out of the blocks against their Basque opponents, falling behind to Fernando Llorente's early goal and looking lucky to escape a second in an error-strewn opening period.
Two penalties converted by Cristiano Ronaldo brought calm in the second half, but there was also a storm: Jose Mourinho was jeered by large sections of the Santiago Bernabeu crowd for the first time. Wednesday night's Clasico frustration had turned to mass irritation in Chamartin.
Prior to the Clasico on Wednesday night, there had been tangible tension in the air at Madrid's famous home, an apprehension and almost an air of expectancy that beating Barcelona would again prove beyond them. Those fears were confirmed, too, as Madrid saw an early lead wiped out and lost 2-1 to the eternal enemy in the sides' Copa del Rey quarter-final first-leg encounter.
But as the teams were announced in the Clasico, there was another notable nuance: Mourinho received a bigger cheer than any of his players. Madrid's fans were backing their boss.
What they witnessed after that, however, made many change their minds. A sterile showing devoid of confidence and creativity ensued, in an ultra-defensive display which betrayed the traditions of this great club. Madridistas were hurt.
Then there was the shame of Pepe's sickening stamp on Messi, plus newspaper reports revealing a rift between Mourinho, captain Iker Casillas and defender Sergio Ramos. Madrid fans were observing it all; they were looking - but they were not liking.
So on Sunday, it was only the ultras backing Mourinho, with large sections of the Santiago Bernabeu turning on the coach they have so far largely backed through thick and thin in the belief that he can be the man to break Barcelona's stranglehold in Spain and Europe.
Mourinho brought back Marcelo, Kaka and Mesut Ozil, with some success for all three as the Brazilian full-back opened the scoring with a delightful goal, his compatriot won the first penalty and the German produced a performance which suggests he should never be left out of this team. There was also a start for Esteban Granero, a bit-part player in 2011-12. Ramos and Casillas were there, too, although Pepe - notably - was not.
Marca called it a leader's reaction, but Madrid had been on the ropes early on and needed Oscar De Marcos' miss and the midfielder's subsequent second-half sending-off to really rally and respond to their fans, those harshest of critics. And they will take some convincing yet.
In the meantime, Madrid's five-point league lead remains intact, but Messi's terrific triple in Malaga signalled plenty of intent on the part of Barcelona that there is still a long way to go in this title race.
Messi had hit just one league goal on the road all season, while Barca had dropped 11 points away from Camp Nou. But buoyed by their Clasico success on Wednesday, the Catalans strolled to a comprehensive victory on Sunday, with Carles Puyol, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas all left on the bench to rest, too.
Keep winning the Clasico clashes and Barca's self-esteem will grow and grow. Continue losing them and Madrid's crisis of confidence will only be exacerbated. It may have been all 4-1 on Sunday, but it certainly wasn't one for all - not at the Bernabeu anyway. Mourinho's Madrid need a makeover and it needs to start, of all places, at Camp Nou on Wednesday night.
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