Magnificent Madrid reach a different footballing plateau

FORMER German great Franz Beckenbauer put Real Madrid on an elevated footballing plateau last night declaring: “They are out on their own.”

Said the man who won three European Cups with Bayern Munich and the World Cup as a player and coach with West Germany:

“No team can match Real Madrid. The match was formidable and dramatic in Manchester but Real controlled their opponents.

"They scored, slowed the game down then upped the tempo. I’ve never seen a team these last few years control the change of rhythm as Real did.”

Real are on course for a 10th European Cup and have an attacking ryhthm about them that even manager Vincente Del Bosque might admit that world player of the year, Ronaldo, has spiced up their options.

Real president Florentino Perez had gone against Del Bosque’s advice when he paid Inter Milan 45 million euros for the 26-year-old last August.

“Last night was his night,” Del Bosque said grudgingly.

“We managed to create three chances for him and he scored from all three, and he also gave us a good target. He is gradually coming into form and becoming the player we want him to be.”

Fans may, however, have seen the last of the dizzying attacking football that accounted for United.

The other three teams left in the competition are from Italy and the forthcoming semi-final against Juventus, followed by a possible final against either Inter or AC Milan, are likely to be played in very different styles.

“I was delighted with the spectacle that was provided against Manchester United,” Real captain Fernando Hierro said after the second leg tie at Old Trafford.

“As for Juventus, we know that, as a good Italian team, they’re going to make things difficult for us. We’re going to suffer.

“I’m certain we’re not going to see another game like the ones against United, but we’re focused on reaching another final.

" It was an especially beautiful match for everyone. Of course I would have preferred to have won 4-3. It would have been a more memorable result.

For Luis Figo, Real will be flying the flag for Spanish football against the three Italian teams in the semi-finals.

“I know we’re the only team from Spain against the Italians, but I still believe the Spanish league is stronger,” said Figo. “Now I just hope we can get a Spanish team into the final.”

Real had more than a few problems reaching the second group stage of the competition, needing a last-minute goal from Javier Portillo to salvage a point against Borussia Dortmund and a Ronaldo header to beat Lokomotiv Moscow in the final game.

If either of those results had not gone their way, Real would not have made the quarter-finals but, now that the serious business is underway, they are clear favourites to win the competition for the 10th time.

“We had the game under control because we played with intelligence, thanks to the advantage we took in Madrid,” said Ronaldo.

“We were able to take the chances we created but it was all down to the team, not just me. I don’t like being the protagonist, even though I did have a good game.”

No-one in the Madrid camp would comment after the match on whether Beckham was set to join them in the summer, in line with media speculation.

But a Spanish radio station was reporting yesterday that negotiations were at an advanced stage.

At times Zidane and Figo were astonishing as they sauntered about the Old Trafford pitch, the stage for this year’s final, as if they owned it.

“We have seen a great football match and with goals. That is really what people want to see,” said Figo, who praised the Old Trafford fans for applauding Ronaldo when he was substituted and both teams at the final whistle.

“People like to watch good football. It proves the respect of these fans who not only applauded Real Madrid but also supported their team right until the end.

Madrid look sure to spend again in the summer, but they have developed a blend of bought-in international class and home-grown heroes.

Casillas fits into the latter category, having come through the club’s youth teams, and at 21 years old he is the hottest goalkeeping talent in Europe.

He was most pleased by a block which kept out Juan Sebastian Veron’s thundering volley.

“I don’t know how I saved that, but somehow my hand managed to stop the shot. I was happy with my performance, Manchester United were a great team to play against.”