Champions League

Schuster heads down Capello way

Bernd Schuster bears some intriguing similarities to former Chelsea boss José Mourinho.

The German disregards the media with contempt, is utterly single-minded and could not deliver the prize he was ordered to win, the Champions League.

Schuster does offer a far more exciting style of football than Mourinho ever did at Stamford Bridge or Fabio Capello managed before him at the Bernabéu, but there is no indication that his own brand is any more effective.

“Today, there’s no reason to value this defeat too much. We have not qualified for the next round, but I do not consider this as a defeat.” - Bernd Schuster bizarrely claims his side did not lose

Capello and Mourinho both delivered the league title and Real Madrid have only that to campaign for after yet another premature exit from Europe, meaning Schuster can at most emulate the previous incumbent at Los Merengues. That is unlikely to be satisfactory for Ramon Calderón, and the Spanish press are readying themselves to proclaim the end of the ex-Getafe coach’s reign with some glee.

For four years on the bounce, Real have failed to make the last eight of the Champions League while Barcelona’s relative recent stability saw them triumph in 2006. Last season, they were defeated by a Bayern Munich side who didn’t even qualify for this year’s competition and the previous two campaigns also saw an exit at the last 16 stage. For a club of Madrid’s grandeur, it is an unimpressive record.

Roma were superbly organised at the back but always possessed the courage to attack despite the obvious temptation to hold onto their slim first leg advantage. That was something they did less than a year ago against Manchester United, and left hugely embarrassed after a 7-1 beating at Old Trafford. The shockwaves from that huge defeat on English shores still resound around the Italian capital to this day, and Luciano Spalletti’s players used it as motivation as they reached the quarter-finals for the second year running.

Icon Francesco Totti stated, “We are finding the continuity we lacked and we are getting used to playing big matches. We want to go as far as possible. I know it will be hard but we have the qualities to do that. On a scale of nought to ten, my vote for Roma tonight is eleven.”

Their victory was thoroughly deserved and was reward for Roma’s policy of playing attacking football that is also lethally effective. Whilst this season Real have possessed the first facet they have not demonstrated any defensive aptitude, the foundations of a successful side as the Italians would advise you with a grin.

Money has been wildly splashed about, coaches have come and gone, and unfulfilled promises have been made aplenty. Real ought to win La Liga - they hold a five point lead over Barcelona at the top - but it may not be enough to save Schuster, however beautiful his side play the game.

Like the champions of Italy and England, Inter and Manchester United, Real coveted the biggest club prize after tying up a long-awaited domestic crown the season before. Inter’s fans yearn for the Champions League after cantering to the Scudetto in 2007 and Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have picked up plenty of silverware at home but just one European trophy back in 1999. The Spanish champions must wait at least another year to realise their dream of continental dominance. But who will be in charge to oversee another campaign of hope and want on the peninsula? Real’s track record suggests it will not be Schuster.

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Is Schuster on his way out or should Real stick by their coach?
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