Real Madrid’s stars are very much told off in one of AS’ many post-match columns on Thursday.
Whilst Tottenham Hotspur’s players are lavished with praise, for both their talent shown at Wembley, and their application under Mauricio Pochettino, Madrid’s Galacticos are asked why they can’t do the same.
Tomas Roncero, never one to talk down a situation when the drama option is available, goes with the headline ‘Yes it’s right, we’re in crisis’.
Those who disagree with the Tottenham result pushing Madrid further into a crisis situation, with perhaps the suggestion being towards Zinedine Zidane, are compared to the man on the cover of Supertramp’s famous ‘Crisis, what crisis?’ 1975 album.
In other words, they’re living in a delusional bubble, and Roncero continues to rant: ‘To face players like Harry Potter Kane, Dele Alli or Eriksen makes you think about the difference of having a full stomach or being hungry, very hungry. The trident of Tottenham want to enter the Olympus of football. Ours have been there for years and believe that it will last a lifetime. Well, no.’
Some are picked out, with Toni Kroos’ effort against Tottenham being questioned, and it being pondered whether Karim Benzema now feels he’s a striker who doesn’t actually have to score goals.
Roncero believes everything missing from Madrid was reflected back to them by Pochettino’s young and hungry Tottenham side.
Maybe Zidane can use that special relationship which was a much heralded, but soon disappearing, part of the Gareth Bale transfer, to ask Pochettino for some advice.