Beckham dropped because of poor form: Boss

Real Madrid coach Mariano Garcia Remon admits recent poor form was the reason behind his decision to leave David Beckham and Roberto Carlos out of the side for the clash with Racing Santander on Saturday.

Madrid earned a last gasp 3-2 win after a stoppage-time goal from Zinedine Zidane gave them the points on a night where Michael Owen also scored his sixth goal of the season.

The result allowed Madrid to claw two points back from Barcelona at the top of the Primera Liga, after the league leaders could only draw at home to Valencia.

However, almost as much attention was fixed on the Madrid dugout, which Beckham shared with Brazil international defender Roberto Carlos after the England skipper was replaced by 17-year-old Javi Garcia, making only his second Primera Liga start.

After the game Garcia Remon, who has been criticised in recent weeks by the Spanish press, explained his decision.

“I put out the players who I have seen training best during the week,” he said.

“Beckham and Roberto Carlos have not trained well and I considered that they should not play. I choose the side based on the work they do during the week and this was my ideal side.”

However, the Madrid coach also confirmed that one of the reasons for the duo not performing in training had been a lack of fitness.

“As well as that, these two players (Beckham and Roberto Carlos) have been carrying physical problems and those two factors have helped me decide my starting line-up,” Garcia Remon added.

Meanwhile, Madrid’s director of sport Emilio Butragueno backed up his coach’s decision as regards Beckham, although Roberto Carlos was not let off the hook so easily.

“Beckham has been carrying physical problems during the week,” he said. “But the decision about Roberto Carlos was purely technical.”

Madrid end a busy month on Wednesday when they entertain Sevilla in what will be their last competitive game until January 9, when they face neighbours Atletico Madrid in the Primera Liga.

Fitness permitting, Beckham and Roberto Carlos are both likely to be back in the side.