Brazilian trio Ronaldo, Julio Baptista and Roberto
Carlos have blamed Real Madrid fans for creating a tense atmosphere that has
made it difficult for the team to play well in home matches.
Real have been jeered and whistled by their own fans in recent games at the
Bernabeu and their reaction to the side's narrow 1-0 victory over neighbours
Getafe two weeks ago was instrumental in the dismissal of coach Vanderlei
Luxemburgo.
"We won't win anything if the team and the fans go out there in an atmosphere of
tension," Baptista told reporters after his side's 1-1 draw with Osasuna on
Sunday.
"The whistling has to end because if not we won't get anywhere."
Fellow striker Ronaldo complained after the draw against Getafe that playing at
the Bernabeu was "like playing away from home".
Defender Roberto Carlos said the impatience of the fans was making the players
nervous when they stepped on to the pitch.
"We were never able to relax when we had the ball at our feet because the fans
wanted us to play so quickly, but we have got to be more patient," he told the
club's website.
The Brazilian left back appeared to be one of the players most affected by the
atmosphere during Sunday's match.
He injured Osasuna midfielder Valdo with a tough two-footed tackle in the 15th
minute and sarcastically clapped his former team mate off the pitch when he had
to go off.
A minute later the fullback was involved in the incident that led to the sending
off of Osasuna captain Patxi Punal as the two challenged for a header.
Real's caretaker coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro, in charge for the first time in a
league match at the Bernabeu, said he thought the fans were within their rights
to complain about the team.
"The fans can do what they want and their views always have to be respected," he
told a news conference after the game. "We have to be professional and
understand that we all have a major responsibility in working for Real Madrid."
Real, who are eight points adrift of leaders Barcelona in third place in the
table, play their final league match of the season at home to Racing Santander
on Wednesday. |
