Friday, May 18th, 2012
Real Madrid’s shock defeat to Osasuna is making all the headlines on the Monday newspapers. The Madrid based press are naturally disappointed with Marca having all but given up on the league. Their headline reads we have to go for the cups. They obviously see winning the Copa del Rey and/or the Champions League as more realistic than winning the league. The other Madrid daily, AS, went with 7 points and very tricky. Both newspapers carried articles quoting Cristiano Ronaldo who complained about the extremely hostile atmosphere and dirty tricks of the Osasuna fans in Pamplona.
In Barcelona, the mood couldn’t be more different. The press gleefully report on Real Madrid’s slip up. Sport went with the headline Bang and now it’s 7 points. Sport’s front page carries a picture of a frustrated looking Karim Benzema who once again failed impose himself on the game. The Barcelona daily concludes the league is more Barça than ever. El Mundo Deportivo is equally as joyful, going with the headline KO of League, accompanied with a picture of Cristiano Ronaldo with his head in his hands.
Away from Real Madrid, most papers carry stories on the increasing crisis at Atlético Madrid. Marca claims the Calderón is running out of patience. However, the target of most of the anger is not the manager or players but the board of directors. Staying with Atlético Madrid, AS allege that Tottenham bid 45 million euros for Kun Aguero but Gil Martín rejected the offer.
In other Tottenham related news, Sport report that Barcelona are preparing a massive bid for Spurs left back, Gareth Bale. They are also reporting that Sami Nasri of Arsenal looks set to miss the first leg of his side’s Champions League tie with Barcelona.
Finally, El Mundo Deportivo pose the question, from Segunda to Europe? This a reference to Real Sociedad who have done excellently since coming up from Segunda and are in fact challenging for a European spot. Another team who are looking good for a European place is Athletic Bilbao. After their impressive victory over Atlético Madrid, coach Joaquín Caparrós said this victory lifts both our individual and collective confidence.
Tags: AS, El Mundo Deportivo, Marca, Spanish Football Press, Sport
