Zidane Looking for Bale Out

It’s summertime in Madrid and always a volatile time when Real Madrid president Florentino Perez ruminates over possible new signings. Or on this occasion his new manager, or the returning manager, Zinedine Zidane. These moments are often accompanied by club clear-outs which over the last few summers have seen the departure of James Rodriguez, Mesut Ozil, and Alvaro Morata – not long after returning from Juventus. All of whom followed the departure of Angel di Maria to Paris Saint German months previously. This summer has proved no different with the exit of Ceballos and the ongoing efforts to offload Gareth Bale. Zidane clearly disinterested in keeping the Welshman 

Open rumours suggest that Neymar is a possible target – although he has no buy-out clause - but cost PSG £198M when he moved from Barcelona a few seasons ago. If Neymar did arrive in Madrid, he would join a distinguished roster of his countrymen that played at the Santiago Bernabeu over the decades. Regretfully, few of whom have been outstanding during their stay, as the likes of Kaka arrived past his peak; Robinho never matured into the promising talent he was; with Ronaldo similarly arriving late in his career and not making a good account of himself beyond 2002 season. The injuries beginning to take their toll on his body. 

The most successful being Roberto Carlos and then in more recent seasons, Marcelo. Both allegedly defenders yet more devastating in attack than in their primary roles. Although Casemiro is a favourite of Zidane, in the middle of the park, it remains to be seen whether he hits it off with thee more agile players like Eden Hazard. Who is what Madrid need given the talented Luka Modric is now on the wrong side of thirty-three – and last year was facing possible prison time in Croatia. A charge which has now been cleared. 

Though an argument can be made that Neymar fits well into that left-wing spot left vacant by Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Juventus, it is Gareth Bale’s more natural position as he has been second fiddle to Cristiano for the past three seasons. The Welshman made his name at Spurs rampaging down the left flank and that was what made him attractive to Madrid and saw him debut for Wales side under John Toshack. Himself a former Real Madrid manager. 

What does seem very clear is that James Rodriguez is not making a return to the Spanish capital from Bayern Munich after his two-year loan period. With an unsettled Matteo Kovacic now moved to Chelsea’s, it leaves Karim Benzema has one of the highest buyout clauses at £886 million and not going anywhere at 30 years of age. But Zidane is keen fan on his fellow Frenchman at number 9 and so Karim won’t be leaving. As all managers find out when they arrive at Madrid the club’s commercial needs overrule the playing needs and so attacking midfielders Isco and Marco Asensio once tipped for a bright future at the Santiago Bernabeu - and have hefty release clauses. But they were on the Zidane sell list as he looks for funds to buy another Frenchman, Paul Pogba, a move proving difficult. With Asensio now seriously injured in preseason and Isco looking very fit they won move. 

The German Tony Kroos has also attracted interest from the Premier League and at 28 - with three Champions league medals and a World Cup - might feel a change might be good. But he just signed a new deal until 2020 amidst rumours that either of the Manchester clubs were keen on signing him. But Real Madrid perhaps couldn’t afford him to lose him if Perez is targeting the 2019 La Liga title. Although as a life sided player he does add to the clutter with Bale. 

Summer  transfers will be defined by the arrival of Eden Hazard, yet the former Chelsea player has yet to impress those in the Spanish capital and started pre-season notably over weight. 

Zidane is being frustrated on his return and unable to get all the purchases done as he wishes and knocking heads with Perez more than is safely recommended. They say one should never return to a place where success was tasted because it’s never the same second time around. .That deja-vu is obviously dawning on ZZ and he may find it a tougher job this time around.

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Perhaps Perez is the Real Problem

Football must be baffling to a civil engineer as logic never seems to apply anywhere or at any time. So, it is for Florentino Perez, the Real Madrid President, who has axed his manager just four months after disrupting the Spanish national side on the eve of the 2018 world cup, by employing their manager at the time, Julen Lopetegui. The same man has proved a failure in less than four months to Perez, who after seeing his club suffer a 5-1 thrashing in the El Clasico at the Nou Camp in Sunday, decided to cut his losses. Which is just a figure of speech given Lopetegui has had to be paid an estimated €18m to end his three-year contract prematurely. 

At a time when Perez thought he could enjoy the fruits of his labours and that fourth Champions League title in five years, his world has been rocked by Cristiano’s demand to leave, his manager Zinedine Zidane’s resignation and yet another humiliation by arch rivals Barcelona, with the club entering another rocky period under his tenure. This latest upheaval resurrecting that infamous Perez period in history when Real Madrid hired a new manager every season for about ten consecutive seasons. An instability that was marked by two just successful periods of three years or so; the first under Vicente del Bosque and the second under Zinedine Zidane who also brought nothing but trophies to the club. 

Now, in 2018 Perez knows any new potential manager will see the squad needs a major revamp, a costly exercise the club do not want at this time, particularly on the foot of the pay-out given to Lopetegui to rescind his services. With a large number of players also on the wrong side of thirty any incoming boss needs to sell before buying. Plus, assimilate the volatility of employment at club under Perez, who during the day runs a very successful construction company that works like clockwork but at night struggles with the standard unpredictability of football. 

There is also a whiff at Real, following so much silverware, of an over powerful dressing room at Santiago Bernabeu that under Sergio Ramos is now getting more vocal. A similar syndrome which in years gone led to surprise departures of legends and captains such as Fernando Hierro, Raul and Davo Suker. If Ramos recent public comments about Antonio Conte are any indication, saying respect ‘must be earned’ no matter who you are after the El Clasico, this is an early warning sign of trouble ahead 

Indeed, former Real Madrid manager, John Toshack experienced that power at play in his time and relied on his lengthy track record at Liverpool under Bill Shankly, his record-breaking years at Swansea City, Real Sociedad and Besiktas to box clever with some of his bigger dressing rooms superstars; Pedrag Mijatovic, Clarence Seedorf, Oscar Ruggeri and Emilio Butragueno. Ironically his third-choice goalkeeper at that time was Julen Lopetegui.

Although one senses already that Perez may have cooled on the idea of Conte to avoid untimely dressing room tension and opening another battle front at this time. But if the stories of Conte’s toughness are to be believed it is clear the Madrid squad feel they are above that these days and will decide who their own boss will be. Which bodes well for temporary appointment, Santiago Scolari, and guarantees that players will do their best over the coming two weeks of his trial to make him look good and the right man for the job. 

Unlike Lopetegui whose fate was sealed the moment he  was forced to leave the Spanish national job in the manner he did a few days before the start of 2018 World Cup. He also had no chance in the wake of Zidane success and was almost expected to win every game from the start. How Lopetegui thought he could he walk the line under Pérez leadership after just renewing his contract with Spain shows a lack of clear thinking. That failure in judgement now sees him out a second job after a bad run of results. 

If Perez is good at firing he is much less able to hire successfully and will now resort to the available internal candidate, Santiago Solari, as no other alternatives are immediately available, given Pochettino’s exit clause is astronomical, and Roberto Martínez only rumoured to be in the mix and Conte his original candidate entangled until very recently in a dispute with his employers at Stamford Bridge. Or if now available is apparently not the players preferred choice. 

Anyway, if the Italian is the choice he will demand some new additions to the squad, particularly at the back where Sergio Ramos is clearly passed his sell by date, and where Rafael Varanne remains far from the finished article his promise led all to believe. Yet the lure of Madrid always wins out. Rafa Benitez jumped at the chance to return home to the Casa Blanca but only lasted a total of eight games. His demise leading to the promotion of Zinedine Zidane by default and against all odds. 

Ironically, Zidane then proved himself as one of the most successful managers ever at the club along with Vincente del Bosque, also another internal promotion in his time. Yet the latter paid it for by losing his job despite winning the Champions League. Similarly, Zidane was a choice that surprised all, as the Frenchman seemed more at home in backroom roles. However, by default proved an inspired choice. 

But his unexpected resignation last June after securing the third successive Champions League trophy shows that working under Perez is a health hazard. Catching his president totally wrong wrong footed leaving Perez to plunder the national team to hire Lopetegui. 

Once again Perez finds himself without a plan and searching for a new candidate. 

OSMedia

Luis Enrique - Real Barca Leader for Spain

Although said before in Russia 2018 these words from Lionel Messi have never been more apt. “You have to show up in the World Cup, and in the World Cup anything can happen.”. In Argentina’s case this was certainly true when France brought an end to their involvement in this world cup. But the same could be said of Germany and Spain who also found the going tough and seemed unable to react and remain in the competition. With Joachim Loew deciding to remain as head and Argentina hopeful that Messi will continue to play for the national team. It seems that Spain may face the most turmoil. A continuation of the turmoil that started in Russia with the sudden departure of their manager, Lopetegui.

However, the subsequent performances of the Spanish team that has caused the most outrage and the players apparent lethargy under the stand-in manager, Fernando Hierro, that may prove the weakest link. In fairness former international and Real Madrid captain had the job thrust upon him under very difficult circumstances after travelling to Russia as an assistant. But football is unforgivably measured by results and so the early exit – albeit the last sixteen leaves may leave a few too many questions for Hierro to answer. So, there are names appearing in the press that could offer alternatives. One of them is former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique or another former Madrid player Michel – who has worked with Olympiacos in Greece and also in La Liga.

Clearly Hierro would not have be considered for the role of national manager in the normal course of events and would not have even viewed himself as a possible candidate – yet. But the truncated events however saw things develop rather differently and now see the novice manager emerge with his reputation not necessarily enhanced. His future career will lie elsewhere and stood down. Within days the Spanish Football Federation decided one Ex-Barcelona and Roma coach Luis Enrique has been appointed on a two-year contract. The 48-year-old former Spain midfielder has been out of management since leaving the Nou Camp last June.

Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales said: "The decision was unanimous. I like his commitment and he has turned down better-paid jobs in order to coach Spain. "He's a coach who has all the requirements the federation was looking for."

Enrique, who played for Real Madrid and Barcelona, won the La Liga, Spanish Cup and Champions League treble as Barca manager in 2015. His first game in charge will be a Uefa Nations League game away to England at Wembley on 8 September, with Jose Francisco Molina, a former Spain keeper, as their sporting director.

Julen Lopetegui Lands in Real World

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says "nothing justifies" Spain sacking manager Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the World Cup in response to the La Liga club naming him as their new boss.

Meanwhile Lopetegui insisted he acted in a "professional and honest" manner in accepting the Real job on Tuesday, only to be dismissed the following day.  He said he was initially congratulated by federation president Luis Rubiales.

The Spanish football federation said it dismissed Lopetegui two days before Spain's opening game against Portugal, because the negotiation occurred "without any information" being shared with the organisation. Perez said the agreement was announced before the World Cup to "make it transparent and avoid speculation and rumours".

He cited Chelsea signing then Italy boss Antonio Conte before Euro 2016 and Manchester United confirming Dutch manager Louis van Gaal's appointment before the 2014 World Cup.

"We had legitimate freedom to make this agreement," said Perez. "That agreement has somehow been interpreted as disloyal.

"The president's response was unprecedented. Nothing justifies Lopetegui not being on the bench for tomorrow's game. The saddest day of my life'

"When they found out, we had one of best training sessions of whole week," he said.

Asked if he regretted the decision, he replied: "We're completely convinced what we have done is honest and clear. I would change the reaction from Rubiales.

"He congratulated me, was cordial and the after that, I don't know. I would have liked Rubiales to have done things in a different way."

The former goalkeeper has signed a three-year deal to succeed Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu.

"Yesterday was the saddest day of my life since the death of my mother, but today is the happiest day of my life," he added.

OSMedia

Florentino ManagersManuel Pellegrini      June 2009 - May 2010
José Mourinho          May 2010 - June 2013
Carlo Ancelotti          June 2013 - May 2015
Rafael Benítez          June 2015 - January 2016
Zinedine Zidane        January 2016 - May 2018
Julen Lopetegui        June 2018 - 

#RealMadrid #FIFAWorldCup 

Something is rotten at the heart of the Spanish national game

Club Versus Country Debate Becomes Real

Real Madrid have chosen Julen Lopetegui to be their next manager, who was until recently the head coach of the Spanish national side. Such are the commercial demands at the Madrid club and the media interest, officials at the Santiago Bernabeu chose to make the news public. Which seemed inappropriate on the eve of the 2018 World Cup. But club President, Florentino Perez, has been losing the PR war since the shock departure of Zinedine Zidane three days after the Champions League treble in Kyiv last month. 

Lopetegui has signed a three-year-deal at Real, and continues a long association with the club, though he made a single professional appearance as a player. The 51-year-old will now face the challenge of refreshing a side that have won the Champions League three times in a row and boasts some of the biggest talents – as well as egos – in world football. But it has a feel of the Rafa Benitez about it. Or indeed Juande Ramos. In other words, is Lopetegui really the man for the job. Or was he just the easiest to prize away with a relatively low compensation to be paid to the Spanish Football federation,

With the World Cup two days away, the news of Lopetegui’ s appointment came somewhat out of the blue and the timing was being questioned in Spain. From Madrid’s point of view, however, it is likely to be seen as a sensible move after the sudden departure of Zinedine Zidane last month. Lopetegui’s association with Real goes back 30 years to when he was a youth team goalkeeper. He also worked for the club as a scout and as coach of the club’s B team, Castilla.

Florentino Perez and Zidane

It had been widely understood that the president of Real Madrid, Florentino Pérez, had made Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino his first-choice candidate to replace Zidane. But the Argentinian had signed a contract extension at White Hart Lane the week before the Frenchman’s departure and attempts to negotiate with Spurs’ notoriously intractable chairman and chief executive, Daniel Levy, got nowhere.

Jürgen Klopp and Antonio Conte were also considered but proved too expensive. Lopetegui, meanwhile, extended his terms with the national side only recently but the compensation clause in his contract was an insubstantial €2m (£1.75m), which Real have paid.

Having taken over from Vicente del Bosque as national coach in 2016, following a disappointing European Championships, when they were knocked out by Italy in the round of 16, Spain have gone unbeaten in 20 matches. Lopetegui has revitalised their style and rejuvenated an ageing team. He will be expected to do the same at his new club where as many as five first-team players are no longer wanted by the club.

Sergio Ramos and Lopetegui

Julen Lopetegui has a spine of Real Madrid players in his team, with a total of six in the World Cup squad, and has built a particularly strong relationship with the club and national captain, Sergio Ramos. It is understood that that Madrid consulted their Spanish internationals before making the appointment. Lopetegui was on Madrid’s books as a player for six years, though he played for the first team once. He also played for Barcelona and has been on record singing the praises of Lionel Messi, which may not go down well with Madrid supporters.

As a manager, Lopetegui has coached at all levels of the Spanish national side, winning the Under-19 European Championship in 2013 and the Under-21 equivalent the following year. His one significant role in club management came at Porto in 2014 but it was not a success and Lopetegui was fired after less than two years in the job. He was then approached to become manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, only for the Spanish FA to secure his services shortly before a move was completed.

Spain now begin their World Cup on Friday with a much-anticipated all-Iberian encounter with Portugal without a manager. Although Fernando Hierro, another former Real Madrid stalwart, will more than likely take the reins now. Clearly the football debate of club versus coiyntry has now been truly solved. 

Real's needs is greater than the national interest.

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#realmadris #refef #lopetegui #spain #laroja #sergioramos

Ronaldo is Real Problem for Zidane

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Zinedine Zidane has insisted that there is harmony in the Real Madrid dressing room after Cristiano Ronaldo had criticised his team-mates.

Following Real’s 1-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid which left them 12 points off top-of-the-table Barcelona, Ronaldo had said: “If we were all at my level, maybe we would be leaders.

“I don’t want to disrespect anyone, but when the best players aren’t available it’s harder to win. I like to play with Karim [Benzema], with [Gareth] Bale, with Marcelo. I’m not saying the others like Lucas Vazquez, Jesé [Rodriguez] and Mateo Kovacic are not good players. They are very good players, but it’s not the same.”

Ronaldo later back-tracked on the comments, apologising to his team-mates via WhatsApp and telling Marca: “I was referring to the physical level, not level of play. I am not better than any of my team-mates.”

The Real coach Zidane said on Tuesday: “Cristiano has spoken to everyone, with me and all, the matter is past.

“We know the importance of Cristiano and we’re all with him. What’s important is what we have ahead of us and we’ll get through it together.”

Real’s captain Sergio Ramos also attempted to play the comments down, saying: “I know Cristiano well and I don’t think he was trying to shift the blame on to any of his team-mates.”

Real visit Levante on Wednesday with their hopes for La Liga written off and Zidane will make a number of changes after Luka Modric joined the injury list with an ankle problem, though Pepe is back in a 19-man squad.

Ramos and Dani Carvajal are rested while Marcelo, who has muscle fatigue, and Karim Benzema, with a thigh muscle problem, are out.

Bale rejoined his team-mates in practice for the first time since mid-January when he suffered a calf injury, but was not included and could return on Saturday at home to Celta Vigo.

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Juventus Madrid Comeback Ends Abruptly

The return visit to the Santiago Bernabeu for Gonzalo Higuaín and Sami Khedira with Juventus on Wednesday night was close to being a lifelong sporting memory. The kind that becomes legendary with the passing of the years. Instead, the bitter sweet will remain and somewhat tarnished as the visitors saw their 3-goal comeback shattered by a 92-minute penalty given to Real Madrid. The final minutes of this second leg semi-final of the Champions League becoming an explosive mixture of on-field melees, the tragic dismissal of the iconic Italian goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon, and the euphoria erupting after the penalty was scored by Cristiano Ronaldo. 

And with the arguments still raging on the pitch, English referee, Michael Oliver blew for full time, leaving Real Madrid players in delirium on reaching the UEFA semi-final draw taking place on Friday. While Italian footballing aristocrats jetted home in the early morning hours empty handed - yet again - after another encounter with Real Madrid. With former Juventus player and current Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, guiding his Madrid team to join the German Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich; the 2005 Champion League winners Liverpool, perhaps the surprise winners over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, and Roma, the shock winners’ winners against Barcelona on Tuesday night, The Catalans arriving in Rome with a three-goal advantage that looked unassailable. But was dwindled away even with Lionel Messi lining out, to see them out of the tournament. 

Despite being most people’s favourites and with another La Liga title to be conferred in the days ahead, the pain of being vanquished by the little known former Italian international, Eusebio Di Francesco, at the helm of Roma will cause more unrest in Catalunya. His team also dismissing Shakthar Donetsk and Atletico Madrid on their way to the semi-final place. Winning - not by luck- but by an attacking game plan that exposed some of the long-known weaknesses and flaws in Barcelona’s central defence. 

For the second leg Juventus manager, Massimiliano Allegri started his team pressing very high on Real Madrid and within 90 seconds the visitor’s homework had unsettled the locals, conceding a goal in the first attack. Putting the proverbial cat amongst the Italian piccione very early on. Replicating a plan that knocked out Tottenham Hotspur in the return leg at Wembley Stadium in the previous round, Juve went about their business. Their hopes of progressing suddenly cut short just as extra time was looming after Medhi Benatia was adjudged to have fouled Lucas Vazquez in the six-yard box, after Cristiano Ronaldo headed back a long cross from Toni Kroos. Which found the young Spaniard’s feet – with only Buffon to beat,

The keeper then on hearing the referee’s whistle reacted with some unsporting scenes the Italian great exploding with some justifiable rage perhaps. But then manhandling referee Oliver who had no option but to show the red card according to the rulebook. Buffon’s dismissal further complicating things for Juventus as the home side were lining up for a penalty as their goalie headed for the tunnel Leaving the former Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczęsny to put on his gloves to take up his position between the posts and face Ronaldo. Who then drilled his 12-metre spot-kick into the top right corner to end the contest for Juventus. Albeit the arguing and protest continuing. Yet drowned out by a home crowd of over 80,000 who suddenly reignited after almost 60 minutes of silence. 

An unsavoury finish to a great quarter-final tie and a question mark as to whether Video Assistant Referees (VAR) would have made a difference to such a polemic finish. In the end for Higuaín and Khedira it was yet another departure from the Bernabeu pretty much the way they did as players. Unwanted by their manager of their day, Jose Mourinho, and somewhat unhappy. 

In addition, an appearance in the tunnel by the suspended Real Madrid captain, Sergio Ramos, could trigger further events as the defender was seen watching the end of the match almost pitch side. A point referee Oliver noted in his post-match report. Which could mean another suspension from UEFA should they find that he was in breach of the rules concerning suspended players being on the pitch. Xabi Alonso was handed a one-match ban for stepping on the field to celebrate with his team-mates after the 2014 Champions League final, and UEFA could take a similar view of Ramos' situation. Which Ramos missed on Wednesday due to accumulated yellow cards.

The Juve goalkeeper captain said after the game, that was expected to be his last in the Champions League: "It was a tenth of a penalty.

"I know the referee saw what he saw, but it was certainly a dubious incident. Not clear-cut. And a dubious incident at the 93rd minute when we had a clear penalty denied in the first leg, you cannot award that at this point.” Buffon said, "The team gave its all, but a human being cannot destroy dreams like that at the end of an extraordinary comeback on a dubious situation.

"Clearly you cannot have a heart in your chest, but a bag of rubbish. On top of that, if you don't have the character to walk on a pitch like this in a stadium like this, you can sit in the stands with your wife, your kids, having your drink and eating crisps” Buffon continued, "You cannot ruin the dreams of a team. I could have told the referee anything at that moment, but he had to understand the degree of the disaster he was creating.

"If you can't handle the pressure and have the courage to make a decision, then you should just sit in the stands and eat your crisps."

Massimiliano Allegri has claimed that Juventus deserved to take Real Madrid to extra time in Wednesday night's Champions League quarter-final second leg. In the first leg, Juan Cuadrado was not awarded a penalty in stoppage time, and Allegri mentioned that the incident in Spain would have a bearing on the tie. "I don't want to judge what the referee did. I feel bad for the lads, who did well in Turin for 60 minutes and didn't score the goals they did tonight," the Italian told the waiting press. 

"The penalty tonight was basically the reverse of what happened on Juan Cuadrado in the first leg... I said even at the time that incident would decide qualification. Allegri continued, "We deserved at least to go to extra time, as we had two substitutes left and they could give an important push in that extra half-hour with Real Madrid tiring.

"Either I had to make changes on the hour mark and go hell for leather, or I wait until extra time and have enough time to get the situation sorted out. We weren't even really at risk late on in the game."

The UEFA Champions League semi-final draw will be live on UEFA.com from 13:00CET on Friday.

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Zidane Equals Rafa Real Record

There were whistles and some boos at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon as Real Madrid struggled to overpower La Liga midtable visitors, Sociedad Deportiva Eibar. Only wrestling the Basques to a one all draw. The visitors having earned a return to the top flight following Elche’s suspension after alleged financial irregularities. Although Eibar arrived in Primero the previous season they struggled and were relegated from the promised land in 2014. On Sunday they did not look out of place with a physical game based on speed and width that really tested Madrid many times. 

In fact, they played everything that Real Madrid dislike in their opponents given they prefer to defend by being compact and tight across the midfield. Relying on the neat and tidy footwork of Luka Modric and James Rodriguez to force gaps up front. Neither of whom were available for the Eibar clash this weekend. That early industry of the visitors earning that vital goal in the fifth minute - after a dink from Fran Rico at ten paces - when the Eibar player caught Rafael Varanne out of place. All leaving keeper Kaylor Navas with no chance at close range. 

The home side then struggling to create chances albeit fielding the BBC up front – Bale, Benzema and Cristiano. The problems though highlighted at the back where Daniilo, Varanne, and Pepe looked vulnerable to the speed of every Eibar attack, with only Carvajal really controlling the right flank. So Madrid notch up the third consecutive home draw and leave Zinedine Zidane facing some calls of crisis from the press and other Real watchers. 

After all the coach now equals Rafa Benitez’s bad start of last season with only fifteen points from 7 games and a balance that ended of the former’s career at Madrid. But the fact that Barcelona lost away to Celta de Vigo may spare him some of further pressure – which was heaped too quickly on Rafa – as he never the media’s choice. Clearly though when Ronaldo misfires the team does similarly and too often dragging the team down too. As is his want he demands the ball all the time, even if he is the worst option, and on days like Sunday he just seemed unable to get some of the clear chances away. At one time late in the second half it made sense to take him off. 

But as Ronaldo does not do substitutions it was Benzema who made way for Alvaro Morata at the start of the second half. Although also proving ineffective against an Eibar’s back four that were resolute and became firmer as the game dragged into the last quarter. The other change by Zidane being Nacho for Varanne and then late in the game Marco Asensio in the middle of the park. For once Tony Kroos looked inefficient and drifted to the right trying to seek openings up ahead. But with little success. His best move a long sweeping cross field ball to Bale on the right that ten found its way back to Ronaldo on the back post – only to go over the bar.

Clearly Bale plays within himself at Real Madrid, spending large parts of the game inactive and just tracking opponents. Against Eibar it was much of the same and to see the naturally left sided player battle on the right - is both magical and frustrating. He is much more effective in the game he plays for Wales. Or indeed at Spurs at left back before his move to Spain. But Ronaldo is an immovable commercial object at the Bernabeu and for him left means “left alone”. 

Ironically though it was the Portuguese striker’s cross to the far post that found Bale’s head about ten foot in the air with the Welshman easily nodding in the equaliser. But for that moment of magic however there was lots of water carrying for Bale, as Cantona would have described it. Particularly against a team like Eibar where he was operating under limited service. At times he must go home feeling he has worked only a half day compared to his workload at White Hart Lane in the past. Meanwhile on the other side Ronald tends to squander possession even if his goal records are off the charts. 

In coaching terms Sundays game was ninety minutes of frustration and for Zidane it places him with the unwanted comparison with his immediate predecessor. Albeit his former boss, Carlo Ancelotti, was in town for Champions League this week - against Atletico Madrid - that could only see the Italian squeeze a 0-0 from FC Bayern Muenchen. For Zizou though it’s a far cry from the glory of last season’s 11th Champions League win and so he now starts the usual squeamish period that affects this huge club when faced with dropped points. Yet the trickle of bad news will dissipate with the timely international break the next week with normal services resuming for the away trip to Betis on October 14th. 

Funnily enough the saving grace was that Barcelona lost away to Celta de Vigo on Sunday and as such reduces any further clamour for changes. Although the away win by Atletico at Valencia places their local rivals joint top on goal average. Meanwhile Eibar can celebrate their first ever point at the Bernabeu as well-earned after an efficient performance. Totally deserved against an out of sorts Madrid. 

Indeed, Ronaldo within hours of the whistle was in Lisbon opening his new hotel and Bale - who notched up his 50th goal for the club – was heading to Wales and then Austria with the Welsh national side. No doubt Bale will run off any of his frustrations quality at the Ernst Happel stadium at the weekend in Vienna.

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Suarez Hat-Trick Secures Title for Barca

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Luis Suarez bagged a third hat-trick in five games as defending champions Barcelona won 3-0 at Granada to clinch their 24th La Liga title on Saturday.

The Uruguayan converted Jordi Alba’s low pass in the 22nd minute to give Luis Enrique’s side the lead. He then headed in Dani Alves’ cross in the 38th before tapping Neymar’s pass into an empty net in the 86th.

Suarez finished the season as La Liga’s top scorer with 40 goals, breaking Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s grip on the honour since 2009.

Barca ended with 91 points, one ahead of Real Madrid who won 2-0 at Deportivo La Coruna.

Ronaldo scored twice for Real before being substituted at halftime, finishing the campaign with 35 goals.

Gerard Pique came close to giving Barca an early lead when his header was tipped away by goalkeeper Andres Fernandez who also saved well from Messi.

Fernandez was powerless to stop Suarez’s opener, however, the Uruguayan tapping the ball home at the far post.

The second goal was delightful. Javier Mascherano launched a long diagonal pass towards the byline and Alves raced to meet it before hooking a cross for Suarez to nod in from close range.

Suarez nearly laid on a third for Neymar but the Brazilian was denied by Fernandez.

Neymar then generously played in Suarez to complete his hat-trick before the end.

“This title tastes great after so much hard work throughout the year and suffering right until the end,” said Barca captain Andres Iniesta.

“The league is the tournament that tests your consistency throughout the year and it’s the one we want to win every year.”

Real got off to an ideal start at Deportivo when Gareth Bale manoeuvred his way past a defender on the left and cut the ball back to Karim Benzema who squared it for Ronaldo to score in the seventh minute.

The Portugal striker’s second in the 25th minute had an element of good fortune, his header from a corner bouncing off Deportivo’s Pedro Mosquera on its way into the net.

Ronaldo also hit the post and the crossbar before being replaced by James Rodriguez although there was no suggestion he had an injury two weeks before the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid.

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