Real Madrid in disarray after Barcelona Clasico demolition
Players apologise after 4-0 defeat, but Rafa Benitez under pressure amid claims of a dressing room mutiny
Real Madrid stars have been lining up to apologise to their fans after they were humiliated in front of their own fans by arch rivals Barcelona in one of the most one-sided El Clasico encounters for years. The match leaves coach Rafa Benitez in danger of losing his job just five months after he took over.
Barcelona ran out 4-0 winners at the Bernabeu as Luis Suarez scored twice and Neymar and Andres Iniesta also found the net in a dominant display.
Afterwards, defenders Sergio Ramos and Marcelo asked for fans' forgiveness as Benitez, whose uncharacteristic team selection featuring four forwards backfired spectacularly, said his side needed to "get over" the result.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Real now lie third in La Liga, six points behind Barcelona and two shy of their city rivals Atletico, and the supporters made their anger evident during the match.
Much of the fans' ire was directed at president Florentino Perez, claims the Daily Mail, but that was partly because he was responsible for hiring Benitez.
"The club were briefing on Sunday that his position is safe for now but after such a humbling there seems little chance he will stay beyond the summer," says the paper.
To make matters worse for Benitez, Spanish newspaper Marca reports that many of the Real squad dislike him and his methods. There have even been claims that players avoid the area of the pitch near the bench during games.
"If the dressing room were to vote about whether they wanted him to remain at the helm, he'd be lucky if five or six players voted in his favour. It'd be a landslide 'No' victory," says the paper.
Such is the furore that Zinedine Zidane, the coach of Real Madrid's second team, has been forced to temper talk that he is set to step up to the senior job, reports The Guardian.
"Once the game had begun, virtually the only applause of the night came for Isco when he was sent off six minutes from the end for a wild hack at Neymar," says Sid Lowe in The Observer. "At least someone had done something, they seemed to be saying. At least the sense of impotence and inferiority had hurt him. Others had been simply indolent."
By contrast Barcelona were vibrant and so confident that they were able to leave Lionel Messi on the bench as he returned from two months out with a knee injury. When he did come on with half an hour to play it was "to take part in and enjoy a destruction that had been carried out in his absence", says Lowe
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The mental health crisis affecting vets
Under The Radar Death of Hampshire vet highlights mental health issues plaguing the industry
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Onion is having a very ironic laugh with Infowars
The Explainer The satirical newspaper is purchasing the controversial website out of bankruptcy
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Rahmbo, back from Japan, will be looking for a job? Really?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The European Super League: a 90th-minute reprieve?
Why everyone's talking about A European court ruling has potentially breathed new life into the breakaway football league
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
A tale of ‘two World Cups’: Messi, Mbappé and ‘money well spent’ for Qatar
feature Amid sportswashing and human rights concerns, Qatar 2022 ended with the perfect final
By Mike Starling Published
-
2022 World Cup final: Argentina vs. France prediction, preview, team news
feature Mbappé and Messi will go for glory, the golden boot, golden ball, and PSG bragging rights
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
2022 World Cup final: Lionel Messi’s last chance to emulate Diego Maradona
Talking Point Argentina captain is one win away from achieving the ultimate dream
By Mike Starling Published
-
Lionel Messi’s World Cup dream: it really is ‘now or never’ for Argentina’s captain
feature After lifting the Copa América in 2021, can he finally add a World Cup winners’ medal to his trophy cabinet?
By Mike Starling Published
-
2022 Uefa Champions League final: Liverpool vs. Real Madrid preview, predictions and TV
feature Everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s showpiece in Paris
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Karim Benzema: Panenkas, hat-tricks and a Ballon d’Or?
Why Everyone’s Talking About Real Madrid’s French striker was sensational yet again in the Champions League
By Mike Starling Published
-
Champions League: ‘what a night, what delirium’ as Real Madrid knock out Chelsea
feature Karim Benzema’s extra-time header puts Real through after a stirring comeback from holders Chelsea
By Mike Starling Published