Impossible is nothing, or so Bernd Schuster hopes

December 8, 2008

Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster is all over the Spanish-speaking web, saying, “It’s impossible to win at the Nou Camp.”

Is he right? I guess it must feel that way after Barca’s 4-0 win over Valencia but I don’t suppose Schuster really believes it.

Schuster is engaging in a little light psychology ahead of the weekend’s match against Barcelona, setting the bar as low as possible in the hope of his team clearing it beautifully.

“The game against Barcelona is the one that worries me least,” Schuster said after Real’s latest defeat, 4-3 at home to Sevilla, left them nine points behind the leaders. “The team can put in a decent performance there, but you can’t talk about doing any more.”

It’s the sort of comment you expect from a spin doctor (or you do if you’ve watched a lot of The West Wing). If Real Madrid come away from Camp Nou with a draw, it will feel like a victory. If they are beaten, but not overwhelmed, it won’t seem like such a bad result.

The problem is, this is Real Madrid we’re talking about, club of the century, etc, etc, and a lot of influential people at the club don’t like it when coaches speak like that.

Schuster’s words may prove to be a brilliant motivational technique, but even if Real Madrid achieve their “impossible” win I don’t think those comments will have done much for his long-term job prospects.

PHOTO: Real Madrid’s Raul reacts after missing a chance against Sevilla at the Bernabeu, Dec 7, 2008. REUTERS/Sergio Perez

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