Trio say fans a Real problem
Real have been jeered and whistled by their own fans in recent games at the Bernabeu, and their reaction to the side’s narrow 1-0 victory over neighbours Getafe two weeks ago was instrumental in the dismissal of coach Wanderley Luxemburgo.
“We won’t win anything if the team and the fans go out there in an atmosphere of tension,” Baptista said after his side’s 1-1 draw with Osasuna on Sunday. “The whistling has to end because if not, we won’t get anywhere.”
Fellow striker Ronaldo complained after the draw against Getafe that playing at the Bernabeu was “like playing away from home.”
Defender Roberto Carlos said the impatience of the fans was making the players nervous.
“We were never able to relax when we had the ball at our feet because the fans wanted us to play so quickly, but we have got to be more patient,” he told the club’s website.
The Brazilian left back appeared to be one of the players most affected by the atmosphere on Sunday.
He injured Osasuna midfielder Valdo with a tough two-footed tackle in the 15th minute and sarcastically clapped his former teammate off the pitch when he had to go off.
A minute later the full back was involved in the incident that led to the sending off of Osasuna captain Patxi Punal as the two challenged for a header.
Real’s caretaker coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro, in charge for the first time in a league match at the Bernabeu, said he thought the fans were within their rights to complain.
“The fans can do what they want and their views always have to be respected,” he told a news conference after the game. “We have to be professional and understand that we all have a major responsibility in working for Real Madrid.”
Real, who are eight points adrift of leaders Barcelona in third place in the table, play their final league match of the year at home to Racing Santander tomorrow.
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