- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Santiago Bernabeu Attitudes Must Change for Real Madrid to Enjoy Liga Success
- Updated: November 27, 2016
Real Madrid remained top of La Liga after Jornada 13 thanks to a 2-1 home win over Sporting Gijon on Saturday, the same scoreline by which they defeated another Sporting, the Portuguese side, in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.
Six points clear and guaranteeing themselves to stay top after El Clasico next week regardless of the scoreline. Manager Zinedine Zidane’s side have won four in a row in all competitions, six in a row in La Liga, have not lost a match this season and have won 31 straight matches dating back to April, equalling Carlo Ancelotti’s best run and includes two trophies already.
So all should be well with Los Blancos’ fans, correct?
Crowd worries
Unfortunately not, it seems.
The below-capacity crowd were happy enough early on as they got to see Cristiano Ronaldo’s trademark celebration twice in quick succession, a penalty and a diving header putting Los Blancos two goals up. But the chances dried up a little thereafter.
By their own admission Real Madrid took their foot off the pedal, defender Nacho Fernandez told BeIN (h/t Marca): “We started the game well. We went 2-0 up but then eased off a bit, I don’t think we were relaxed. The surface was difficult to play on.” Zidane, meanwhile, suggested he wasn’t happy with aspects of the performance, per Marca.
Once Los Blancos downgraded to second gear, problems appeared as they have all season when the intensity is lacking. And the fans responded in kind.
Karim Benzema was a particular focus of their ire as the French striker continued to struggle for sharpness. Despite his goal in midweek to beat Sporting CP, he couldn’t pose any kind of threat to Sporting Gijon until a second-half header was directed straight at the keeper from point-blank range. And the crowd wasn’t happy.
The Bernabeu fans jeered Benzema on at least two occasions and again when a sub was made that could certainly have been interpreted as a decision to not remove Benzema. The forward is out of form and should arguably be out of the team, but he helped win an important match only a few days ago and his reward is abuse. It isn’t going to help.
Likewise, their booing of the entire team was at best ignorant and at …
