No chance of neutrality in Spanish media battle

THERE are few neutrals in Spain when Barcelona play Madrid, and the newspapers usually react accordingly.

Marca in Madrid focused on the injustice of Pepe’s red card — when viewed in slow motion anyway — and the way it changed the game, while up in Barcelona they were rubbing their hands at the thought of an official inquiry by UEFA.

“Mourinho had help from referees both times he won the Champions League, especially last year with Inter Milan,” said Mundo Deportivo.

Never mind the ‘Scandal of Stamford Bridge’: “When Inter won 2-1 against Chelsea, Mejuto Gonazalez (the referee) failed to award the English two penalties.”

“Barcelona were doing nothing up until the red card” insisted Tomas Roncero of AS, which competes with Marca to be the voice of Madrid. “Madrid didn’t make a single violent challenge and Pepe should only have seen yellow.”

But Marca’s two main columnists sounded a dissenting note, which suggests Mourinho and his players need to provide something different in the return match. “Mourinho perverts history,” declared Roberto Palomar.

“There was a time not so long ago when the concepts of Real Madrid, the European Cup and the Bernabeu stadium created a unique spectacle, a frightening atmosphere... Once we had 12 men, today we have 10.”

Football was the loser concluded Tomas Campos, regretting that Lionel Messi’s brilliant second goal has been overshadowed by all the polemics.

“And meanwhile Cristiano runs around like a headless chicken.’’

Last week a hero, this week a zero — that’s how it is for managers at Real Madrid.