Wanderley Luxemburgo has come in for criticism for the first time since becoming coach at Real Madrid, following their shock exit from the King’s Cup at the hands of second division Valladolid.
“Madrid throw the Cup,” declared sports daily Marca.
“This was a spectacular failure by Luxemburgo’s Real Madrid who proved incapable of gaining more than a 1-1 draw against a second division side who came to the Bernabeu with a team packed full of substitutes but, unlike Real, full of enthusiasm.”
Meanwhile, AS was equally critical of of Real’s performance.
“This was an immense and shameful stain on the image of Real Madrid,” they said. “Although some may consider it a blessing in disguise, going out to a second division side like Valladolid is unforgivable especially over a two-legged tie.
“Real once again exhibited all the problems that Luxemburgo’s arrival and initial good fortune had briefly disguised.”
Real looked on course to for a quarter-final spot when Michael Owen put them ahead midway through the second half. But Valladolid levelled through Xavi More to put his side through on the away goals rule.
Coach Luxemburgo tried to put a positive spin on the defeat.
“I’m not saying it’s a good thing but at least it means the fixture list isn’t going to be so congested,” he said.
“If we play like that in the Champions League we won’t do anything,” added the Brazilian.
