Soccer: Real Madrid coach runs down Viduka

Mark Viduka has today been belittled by Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque which must surely bring an end to the speculation surrounding a summer move to Spain.

Viduka has been the subject of a number of transfer rumours for the last few months, with Roma, AC Milan and Real all purported to be interested in signing the striker.

Reigning European club champions Real were apparently ready to offer Leeds up to £22m for the Australia international, who has scored 21 goals for David O’Leary’s side this season.

Only last week Spanish media tried to get Viduka to pose in a Real shirt, an offer which was flatly refused and even led to the 25-year-old describing such a move as "a bit sneaky."

Despite the gossip regarding Viduka, signed from Celtic for £6m last summer, Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale has always vehemently denied there has been any bid or enquiry.

That has not stopped Real general manager Jorge Valdano today claiming Leeds demanded £18.5m for Viduka when they made a recent enquiry for him after he impressed in United’s two group defeats to the Spanish giants.

But Del Bosque has hit out at Viduka after watching his performance in last night’s goalless draw against Valencia in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.

"Mark Viduka disappointed me in that match," said Del Bosque. "I remember when he played against us at the Santiago Bernabeu, he was almost a perfect striker.

"But since then, I think he has become worse and worse as the season has gone on. For this match he did not seem very focused, and nor did Alan Smith."

When asked whether Viduka was worth the apparent £18.5m quoted, which Ridsdale has again denied, Del Bosque replied: "No, I don’t think so.

Del Bosque has also played down Leeds’ chances of reaching the final at the San Siro in Milan on May 23, believing Valencia are now favourites to reach the final.

But a repeat of last season’s showdown between Real and Valencia is not on the cards, according to Del Bosque given that his side trail Bayern Munich 1-0 in the other semi final.

"Last night was a good result for Valencia," added Del Bosque. "After Bayern, Valencia must be considered the second favourites to reach the final.

‘‘We are the team with the least chance of qualifying."

Spanish sports daily Marca today continued its assault on Leeds by claiming the players were "awkward and primitive like Englishmen 15 centuries ago".

Marca had previously described in detail the "illegal tactics" Valencia would encounter before the game, with coach Hector Cuper’s squad practising kicks, elbows and shirt-pulling.

In an astonishing attack, Julian Ruiz wrote: "Leeds, who seemed like a storm against Deportivo, reminded me of those poor Englishmen who invented football 15 centuries ago when they cut off a Viking’s head, put it in a bag and started to kick it around, as awkward and primitive as that."

He then added: "It’s a miracle that Leeds have gotten this far. Madrid laughed at them, only poor finishing from Barca made it possible for them to finish like heroes at the Alamo and it’s best that we forget Deportivo.

"Now is the time for final vengeance."

Some Leeds players were described before the match as the dirtiest in the English Premiership.

Marca said Cuper’s men "struggled to come out of Elland Road alive".