Real Madrid’s rejects are Champions League heroes

By Eric Beard

Before the Kaka & Ronaldo fiasco really began, Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini decided to offload some of the side’s reserve players, most notably Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder. Ironically enough, both Robben and Sneijder sent their respective new clubs, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, through to the Champions League semifinals with invaluable goals. And isn’t it just ironic that while all this mid-week madness was being played out Real Madrid president Fiorentino Perez and the rest of Los Galacticos could only watch their back-ups shine on Europe’s grandest stage?

Louis van Gaal, Bayern Munich’s tactical mastermind, has praised his Dutch winger, stating, “Robben is incredible. To score such a goal at such a time is top class.” Robben, of course, scored a spectacular volley that allowed Bayern to progress on the away goals rule in the 3-2 loss (4-4 on aggregate) at Old Trafford.

Wesley Sneijder, who was originally supposed to be David Beckham’s replacement at Real Madrid, scored a free-kick for Inter in a 1-0 victory (2-0 on aggregate) against CSKA Moscow on Tuesday. Back in December, Jose Mourinho, The Special One, went out of his way to praise Wesley and critique Real Madrid’s treatment of Holland’s #10. Mourinho said, “We are dependent on Wesley Sneijder, no doubt about it. He has a style which is unique for our squad, without him we are a different team. Strange that a player who is fundamental for us managed only the bench at Real Madrid…”

Very strange indeed. Perhaps illogical is the word Mourinho was carefully avoiding.

But to be fair Real Madrid are cruising in La Liga and they plan on shutting down Barcelona at the Bernabeu in this weekend’s El Clasico. The thing is, the Champions League Final is at the Bernabeu this year, and chances are that we could see Barcelona hoist Europe’s most prestigious trophy on Real Madrid’s sacred pitch. Or we could see ex-Madridistas Robben and Sneijder face off against one another Bayern and Inter in front of the former fans in Madrid wondering what might have been had the two Dutchmen stayed. Either way, the last match that Madrid’s finest fans will see at the Bernabeu before the World Cup is certain to end quite bitterly. 

Highlights are, of course, below. What do you think about the fact that Ronaldo and Kaka’s former reserves are now stealing their spotlight?