Real Madrid’s new chairperson Fernando Martin said he believed a smoother road lay ahead for the club following what he termed a ”very important win” on Saturday over city rivals Atletico Madridt.
”It was a very important win,” property developer Martin told reporters after the 2-1 success gave him a winning start five days after taking over from friend Florentino Perez.
Perez stepped down after six years amid signs that his policy of packing the squad with international superstars had run its course with the club facing a third straight season without silverware.
Fans brandished pro-Perez placards at the game in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, but Martin was unruffled.
Asked about the absence of Brazilian star Ronaldo from the team sheet — his replacement Antonio Cassano scored the opening goal against Atletico — Martin said he would leave team selection to coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro.
”I wil never get involved with what the coach does — the coach is the guy who picks the team,” said Martin, adding that ”with each game we will improve”.
The media earlier turned on Ronaldo, accusing him of lacking motivation to fight for the famous white jersey ahead of a season-end departure which is looking more and more likely.
”The public showed they were indifferent to his absence, he was missed by no-one,” said sports daily Marca.
Martin said the important thing was for the whole squad to rally to the cause and keep the fans on-side.
”We have to seek an identification between the public and the players,” he said, in allusion to earlier comments that he wants sportsmen, not millionaires, and to placards saying the great club does not ”mercenaries”.
Asked about the team’s frame of mind before heading to Highbury for a crucial Champions League rescue mission against Arsenal — Real lost the home leg 1-0 — Martin said: ”No one should forget that the day we are overconfident we will lose. We must always play with this mentality.” – Sapa-AFP