Valdano: Spain Have Too Few Madrid Players

Real Madrid director Jorge Valdano touched on a few important topics, including why Real Madrid won the Spanish title last season, and why Spain would benefit from more Real Madrid players in their squad for the European Championship...

Jun 4, 2008 6:58:30 AM

Real Madrid skipper Raul despairs after Alvaro Negredo scores Almeria's second goal.

"[Real Madrid] were very consistent," Valdano said. "They showcased values everyone at the Bernabeu appreciates, such as hard work and a high level of demand. On the other hand, those teams we all expected to be at the top of the table, namely Valencia, Barcelona and Sevilla, disappeared.

"That allowed Real Madrid to distance themselves by a large margin. The league became somewhat less competitive because of the inability of these teams to catch up with Real Madrid this year."

Valdano, who will turn 53 in October, also spoke about Spain's European challenge, and whether they have what it takes to lift the title for the first time since 1964.

"It’s not an easy challenge," said the former Blancos boss. "Spain are clearly a different team.

"The football they have to offer is different when compared to that of the other teams. They will have more possession than they usually do and less physical presence. The squad is very young.

"Several things will play in their favour and others against them. Let’s see how this European Championship unfolds. I think all the teams are more or less equally strong, so Spain have a right to believe they have a chance to win it."

On a slightly different subject, Valdano expressed his frustration because Guti was excluded from the Spanish squad, despite a memorable campaign with Real Madrid.

"I think there are too few Real Madrid men on the Spanish squad," he said. "The world champions called up Antonio Cassano, who was playing at a level three steps below that of Guti’s at Real Madrid, but the latter won’t play for Spain, a team who always have a hard time trying to make it past the quarterfinals in any competition.

"There is no logic to it. Guti had a great season and deserves to play for Spain. He is one of those players who can offer a valuable ingredient even if he isn’t a starter. Players like him have the temperament to unlock games like these."

The former Real Madrid striker did not state his opinion about Raul's exclusion from the squad as well, but it was obvious that he felt Spain's chances in the competition would be much greater if Raul was part of the squad.

"That’s the favourite subject of the press, but I will not feed it," he said. "His leadership would have been important on such a young team.

"Despite some minor differences, those who deserved to play for Spain are on the squad and now we must all give them our support."

Gregory Sica

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Valdano: Spain Have Too Few Madrid Players

Real Madrid director Jorge Valdano touched on a few important topics, including why Real Madrid won the Spanish title last season, and why Spain would benefit from more Real Madrid players in their squad for the European Championship...

Jun 4, 2008 6:58:30 AM

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