Real bask in glow of triumph
MADRID - The media in Madrid went into overdrive yesterday in their praise for Real Madrid, who won 2-1 against defending champions Barcelona on Saturday.
MENACE: Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, left, is challenged by Barcelona's Carles Puyol during their clash at the weekend. Photo: REUTERSMourinho has given Real a winning mentality
Real's win in the Nou Camp virtually guarantees the whites their first Liga title since 2008, at the same time putting them in good spirits ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semifinal showdown against Bayern Munich. Real need to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg.
"Real Madrid were simply wonderful last night," commented Radio Marca yesterday, "strong in defence, creative in midfield and devastating in attack."
Cadena COPE, meanwhile, said that "it is practically impossible" for Barca to now win a fourth straight league title, because they are seven points behind Real with just four matches left.
Real's win was front-page news in every Spanish newspaper yesterday. Two men have been singled out by the Madrid media for special praise: coach Jose Mourinho and star striker Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Mourinho has given Real a winning mentality," commented sports daily AS, "something that was missing at the club for several years."
AS added that Mourinho's "occasional bad manners" should be forgiven because he has done what club president Florentino Perez bought him in to do, at great expense, in 2010 - end Barca's domination.
El Mundo, meanwhile, pointed out that "it is impossible" to label Mourinho a "defensive coach" because his team has scored 109 league goals, a new Spanish record.
Ronaldo, who scored the late winner in Barcelona, has been called the man of the season by almost every paper, because of his new record of 42 goals.
The Madrid media have also proclaimed the "end of an era" for Barcelona, suggesting that Pep Guardiola's team looked tired physically and mentally. Several papers suggested yesterday that the Clasico defeat might encourage Guardiola - who has still not signed up for next season - to leave the club.
The media in Catalonia, on the other hand, conceded that Xavi, Lionel Messi and company were dull and weary on Saturday, but should still be respected as the best team in the world.
According to radio station RAC-1, "Barca will show on Tuesday (tomorrow against Chelsea) that they are still a massive force to be reckoned with."
Guardiola's team lost the first leg 1-0 to Chelsea.
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Wisdom2
Aguero,Messi,Higuain together have failed to even be in the last 8 of any world cup.Maradone was the best and did.Hence Messi is not the best.Spanish midfielders make him look good.Xavi had no game meaning it affects messi.Ronaldo is a complete player and the best.Maurinho is the best coach the world has ever seen.Report Abuse
Msiphos00
Atleast Madrid now you have turned the corner just like Orlando Pirates you go boysReport Abuse
amokachi
@WisHence Messi is not the best.Spanish midfielders make him look good.
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It remains your opinion, Messi is a complete player, all the magic in his feet is not given to him by Spanish players, I TOTALLY DISAGREE.
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Nwanawamukalaha
Ronaldo for world player of the year/season...............HAIL YA CR7
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ACHILLES
tomoro night we dumping them outta the champions league,more misery, to hell with barca.........Report Abuse
Shredder
Well done Madrid. Re ka lapa ke Barcelona.Report Abuse
Shredder
@Wisdom2Andres Iniesta is the man. Him and Xavi makes Messi play.
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SKIZOBANTWANA
Wisdom2Aguero,Messi,Higuain together have failed to even be in the last 8 of any world cup.Maradone was the best and did.Hence Messi is not the best.Spanish midfielders make him look good.Xavi had no game meaning it affects messi.Ronaldo is a complete player and the best.Maurinho is the best coach the world has ever seen.
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Halleluyha
100% correct Boss, CR7 is the MAN
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Rattex-kills-rats-dead
SKIZOBANTWANAWisdom2
Aguero,Messi,Higuain together have failed to even be in the last 8 of any world cup.Maradone was the best and did.Hence Messi is not the best.Spanish midfielders make him look good.Xavi had no game meaning it affects messi.Ronaldo is a complete player and the best.Maurinho is the best coach the world has ever seen.
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Halleluyha
100% correct Boss, CR7 is the MAN
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Give us your opinion in your own words of why he is the best. Dont copy and paste like you did at school
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Ruudboy
well done 2 Madrid for achieving the almost impossible, may U go and finish the CL job as wellReport Abuse
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