Real Madrid's plan to seek three days of peace and
seclusion at the luxury resort of La Manga appears to have come unstuck after
some 1,200 fans attended their first "closed-door" training session on Thursday.
A handful of police were unable to prevent the
crowds of adoring fans from pouring into the resort and watching the players
from behind the fences that surround the training pitch.
Real had decided to head off to the resort in an
attempt to isolate the team from prying eyes following their recent string of
humiliating defeats.
Fans had jeered the players at training in
Madrid on Tuesday and held up offensive signs after the team relinquished the
leadership of Spain's Primera Liga following a 3-0 home thrashing by Osasuna at
the weekend.
In recent weeks, the team has also tumbled out
of the Champions League at the hands of unfancied Monaco and lost the final of
Spain's King's Cup to underdogs Real Zaragoza.
Some 300 fans normally attend the club's
open-door sessions in their training grounds in a suburb to the north of Madrid.
Real, who are two points behind league leaders
Valencia with six games to play, will remain at La Manga until Friday to prepare
for this weekend's local derby against Atletico Madrid. |