Madrid, May 22 (IANS) Spanish club Real Madrid are set to end their disappointing season on a low note at home against Getafe with a La Liga match on Saturday. The club is also expected to bid goodbyes to several star players at the end of the season.
Real Madrid’s Champions League exit at the hands of Italian champions Juventus and bitter rivals FC Barcelona’s win against Atletico Madrid a week ago in the La Liga meant they will be without endure a fruitless campaign without winning a major trophy this season, reports Xinhua.
To make matters worse, FC Barcelona will meet Juventus in the Champions League final on June 6 in Berlin.
Failure at Real Madrid failure comes at a price and the buck generally stops with the coach. Rumours are that coach Carlo Ancelotti will be sacked next week with Italian team Napoli’s manager Rafael Benitez the favourite to replace him.
It would be harsh on Ancelotti, who last season led Real Madrid to a Champions League and Cup double and was being hailed as a peacemaker after Jose Mourinho’s turbulent reign and the Italian will not even have the chance to direct his final game from the dugout given that he is suspended on Saturday.
Another heavyweight personality who could be heading for the exit is their long-serving goalkeeper and club legend Iker Casillas, who is expected to move on after being made the scapegoat for the club’s misfortunes by a section of the fans.
Casillas, apparently, has been told there is a place for him at the club, but if Real Madrid seal the signing of goalkeeper David De Gea from English side Manchester United at the end of the season, he could make an exit.
The future of winger Gareth Bale, the world’s costliest player, is also in doubt after a disappointing season in which he too has been singled out for much criticism for poor performances.
Bale is being linked with a move back to England with Manchester United reportedly intereseted in signing him.
Striker Javier Hernandez is alos on his way out and is expected to play his last game on Saturday, covering for the injured first choice Karim Benzema. The Mexican has performed well in recent weeks, but needs more first team action and is believed to have made up his mind about leaving.
The match is expected to have a muted atmosphere at Real’s home ground, the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, for a game where neither side has anything at stake. The main point of interest will be the crowd’s reaction to the possible departures.
