Real Madrid coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo has
criticised the club for the organisation of last July's tour of the United
States and Asia.
"Real Madrid is a football business and the tour was necessary and important,
but the key is to know how it should be organised," Luxemburgo told Spanish
radio station Cadena Ser.
"I didn't like what we did. You can't leave one country and head off to another
and spend more time on the plane than training or playing.
"A tour should act as pre-season preparation and not only be used as a way of
making money. We are going to change it next season."
Real reportedly earned $25 million from their 18-day promotional tour of the
U.S., Japan, China and Thailand.
Despite his criticisms of the tour, however, Luxemburgo said his team were well
enough prepared to win their first major trophy in three seasons.
"We are going to win the league with this team," he said. "We also have the
strength to go a long way or even win both the Champions League and the King's
Cup."
Real are third in the Primera Liga, two points adrift of leaders Getafe and two
ahead of arch-rivals Barcelona.
They are on course for qualification for the knockout stage of the Champions
League, lying second in Group F, three points behind leaders Olympique Lyon. |