Spanish media acclaim Madrid

By Paul Saffer

Real Madrid CF's stellar performance in beating Manchester United FC 3-1 in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg had the Spanish press drooling.

Star men
Sports daily Marca gleefully compared the displays of two-goal Raúl González and opening scorer Luis Figo to the man Madrid president Florentino Pérez reportedly wants to replace the Portuguese winger, David Beckham.

Figo outdoes Beckham
Marca said: "The Bernabéu delivered its judgment - cheering Figo, ignoring Beckham and acclaiming Raúl. If Florentino Pérez had any doubts about swapping Figo for the 'Spice Boy', there were answered when the Bernabéu sang a spectacular 'Figo, Figo'." AS agreed, saying: "United were unable to assimilate the madness that came at them from all parts of the pitch, threatening goals."

'United fell short'
The English press admitted United had been outclassed, the Daily Mirror declaring: "David Beckham seemed cowed by the occasion, Ryan Giggs was anonymous for long periods, Paul Scholes struggled to make an impression, and Roy Keane did not make one at all. If great players are defined by their ability to rise to the occasion, there can be no question United fell short."

Zidane praise
Zinedine Zidane caught the eye of the Guardian. "In the Bernabéu, Zidane again proved himself one of the greatest figures in the history of football," the newspaper said. "Those visionary flicks and caresses of the ball were combined with reliability. United have no counterpart."

Mixed reaction
Italian teams may be having their best UEFA Champions League for years - with all three of their quarter-finalists avoiding defeat - but the performances of AC Milan, Juventus FC and Internazionale FC left the local media nonplussed.

'Timid formation'
Milan, so dominant earlier in the tournament, were forced to defend deep to gain a 0-0 draw at AFC Ajax, and the Gazzetta dello Sport commented: "Milan's Champions League team was the one that garnered praise in the first two group stages, not the timid formation that bustled around the Amsterdam Arena searching for an inglorious draw."

No cutting edge
However, the Dutch Algemeen Dagblad newspaper felt Ajax lacked the cutting edge to hurt Milan, saying: "[Coach Ronald] Koeman's squad plays heart-warmingly and ambitiously but to make the difference at this stage of the Champions League that will probably not be enough."

Juve disappoint
Meanwhile, Juventus were held 1-1 at home by FC Barcelona, and the Gazzetta questioned coach Marcello Lippi's tactics. "Lippi decided not to field Marcelo Zalayeta and Juve did not create chances in attack," the Gazzetta said. By contrast, Marca highlighted the contribution of Barcelona striker Javier Saviola, a "unique player" who "made the breakthrough for Barcelona" with the equaliser that "boosted his team's hopes of reaching the last four".

'Extraordinary player'
Christian Vieri's early goal helped Inter defeat Valencia CF 1-0 despite being put under tremendous pressure by the visiting Spanish champions. Corriere dello Sport admitted: "Valencia played much better than Inter from the first to the last minute. But [Valencia striker John] Carew is not Vieri. The Nerazzurri striker scored with his only chance of the match." Marca agreed, saying: "Valencia were better than Inter. But the Italians have an extraordinary player called Vieri."