Spanish papers pulled no punches in describing David Beckham's dismal debut for Real Madrid on Spanish soil in a scoreless summer trophy match against Valencia, with one paper describing it as gray as the team's shirt.
Beckham himself admitted afterward he could have had a better start.
"Mediocre Start for Beckham," said the daily El Mundo while the sports paper AS described it as a "Dud."
The leading sports daily Marca compared the "Madrid with Beckham, like the team's jersey: Grayish."
Two weeks before the Spanish League season begins, the star-studded Madrid was playing well below its best. The star midfielder, playing his fifth match for the reigning titlist since arriving from Manchester United for US$39 million in June, was substituted in the 63rd minute after making little impact.
Beckham's every move was booed by the 18,000 Valencia supporters at the Mestalla Stadium, and he drew even more ill-feeling in the 39th minute when he scythed down Spanish international Vicente Rodriguez just inside the Valencia half and received a yellow card.
Asked afterward if he thought things would improve, he said: "I'd like to think so. It couldn't get any worse," he said with a smile.
"We won the game but all the players are tired. It's been a tough week," he added. "We've been playing catch-up on training after the Far East tour ... it was a good work out. We need to get a few more games under our belts."
Madrid's Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, who was also making his debut with the club in Spain, lacked the services of key French international midfielder Claude Makelele, who has refused to train since Madrid returned from its Far East tour due to a wage dispute.
But even without Makelele, papers pointed out how Madrid seemed to be choked with some five or six players constantly in the midfield, a problem predicted earlier in the summer with the signing of Beckham. Madrid won the game 6-5 on penalties.
Beckham was this week to join his English teammates for tomorrow's friendly game with Croatia.
Madrid visits Mallorca next Sunday for the first leg of the Super Cup and, after the second leg on Aug. 27, kicks off the defense of its title a week later at home to Real Betis. Valencia plays host to Valladolid in its opening game of the new season.
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