Pellegrini under pressure after Real routed
Reuters - Wednesday 28 October 2009, 11:07
MADRID - Manuel Pellegrini's future as
Real Madrid coach was called into question on Wednesday after
the big-spending side's 4-0 thrashing at third-tier Alcorcon in
the first leg of their King's Cup tie.
The Segunda B side, from a satellite town to the south of
Madrid, tore apart their near neighbours and could have won by
a larger margin as they condemned the nine-times European
champions to a third defeat in five outings on Tuesday.
"Go now!" sports daily Marca blared on Wednesday's front
page, alongside a photograph of a shattered-looking Pellegrini.
Madrid-based AS led with "Ridicule of the century" while
Barcelona-based Sport wrote: "This is the beginning of the end
for Pellegrini."
After the game, Real's Chilean coach brushed away questions
over whether he would consider resigning and club director
general Jorge Valdano said it was important everyone stood
together.
Team captain Raul echoed Valdano's calls.
"We win and we lose together so absolutely everyone is to
blame," the striker told reporters.
"The display we put on isn't the one the club deserves, or
one that sits well with our history. We ask for forgiveness and
remind people the tie isn't over yet.
"If there is a club that knows about comebacks it is Real
Madrid."
MOTIVATION QUESTIONED
Daily El Mundo spread the blame beyond Pellegrini and
questioned the motivation of Real's players saying: "None of
them were able to replicate the exceptional work of Alcorcon:
the commitment, the pressuring, the pace and the goals.
"Alcorcon showed all the properties a fan would want to see
in their team."
The return leg is at the Bernabeu in two weeks and Alcorcon
coach Juan Antonio Anquela -- who was being dubbed 'Anqueloti'
in the media -- fought to keep the result in perspective while
fans celebrated on the pitch outside.
"We haven't achieved anything yet. Real are capable of
putting five past anyone," he told reporters.
Pellegrini does not have the luxury of time to put things
right. He faces a flurry of high-profile matches before trying
to prevent a second consecutive Cup exit to a Segunda B side in
the Cup.
Real were embarrassed by Real Union in the last season's
competition.
He has a second city derby at home to Getafe in La Liga on
Saturday, a trip to AC Milan in the Champions League next
Tuesday, and then a third local derby at Atletico Madrid in the
league.