Makelele Shocks Real Madrid: Team Is Bad, Problems Are Internal, Not About Referees

Claude Makelele, the former Real Madrid star, has launched sharp criticism at the Royal team following its 2-1 defeat to Atlético Madrid, asserting that the issues stem from internal performance rather than referee decisions. Makelele pointed to what he described as serious problems within the squad, highlighting a lack of understanding among players, a clear disconnect between players and the coach, and the team's absence of a defined tactical plan on the field. These statements come at a time when coach José Mourinho focused on refereeing decisions after the match, which saw Real Madrid fall six points behind Barcelona in the Spanish League title race. Speaking to ESPN, in remarks reported by the French newspaper Foot Mercato, the former Real Madrid player stated: "There is no understanding between the players, and there is no understanding between the players and the coach. Mourinho needs to talk to them." He added with a candid assessment of the team's performance: "The team is bad and there is no plan to play, nothing at all. We must demand more from them; do not look for referees as scapegoats. The problem is not with the referee; there is a clear deficiency in the team and no clear ideas or plans on the field." Makelele's evaluations underscore Real Madrid's internal coordination and tactical approach, steering away from refereeing controversy, particularly amidst escalating criticism directed at the club after the capital derby and the widening gap with the league leader.