There has been criticism, but don’t expect fans to mobilise in huge numbers against their own clubs, not like in England
Poor Roberto Carlos. It was his first and hopefully his last day in the job, and he had to deal with that. At the end of every game, former Real Madrid striker Emilio Butragueño faces the cameras. Impeccably polite, instantly likeable, part of Butragueño’s role as director of institutional affairs is to gently, expertly navigate match-day interviews; essentially to say not very much but do it nicely. Although there is the occasional leading question and sometimes a message to deliver, an idea to implant, it’s rarely a big deal.
This time though it was the biggest deal of all, maybe ever – even if you soon wondered whether it was really that much of a thing at all. Of all the days for Butragueño to be absent, leaving the Brazilian to step in. Madrid had just dropped two points at Getafe. Atlético Madrid had reopened a lead at the top. Sevilla might have put themselves into the title race. But none of it felt so pressing now. Less than an hour after the game at the Coliseum, Thibaut Courtois saving Madrid from defeat against the kind of team they would do without, the statement finally landed.
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Al fin van a salir del "bar de las cinco de la mañana", de la "clandestinidad", los "gurus" de la superliga de "powerpint", embriagados de egoismo e insolidaridad. La @UEFAcom y @EuropeanLeagues y @laliga llevamos tiempo trabajando en este momento y tendrán su debida respuesta. pic.twitter.com/M5bUTaXKmG
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Osasuna 2-0 Elche, Real Sociedad 1-2 Sevilla, Atlético Madrid 5-0 Eibar, Álaves 1-0 Huesca, Cádiz 0-0 Celta Vigo, Real Betis 2-2 Valencia, Getafe 0-0 Real Madrid, Levante 1-5 Villarreal
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