Real Madrid Coach Mariano Garcia Gives His Backing

Real Madrid coach Mariano Garcia Remon has given his backing to under-fire England captain David Beckham and hinted he may get the chance to play on the right side of midfield tomorrow.

Beckham has been criticised after recent below-par performances, which suggested he may have rushed back into action too soon following the rib injury he picked up against Wales last month.

He has been playing in central midfield but comments two days ago by England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, who said he thought Beckham’s best role was wide on the right, have opened the debate as to whether he should play in the same role for his club as for his country.

Luis Figo has been the lord and master of the Madrid right since arriving five seasons ago, but a back injury to Zinedine Zidane could now open the way for Beckham to play in that role.

Madrid’s training session on Saturday saw Figo switch from the right to the left to cover for Zidane, with Albert Celades moving into the central role and Beckham going out to the right.

And that could well be the line-up Garcia Remon begins with as Madrid play Levante tomorrow, although the coach was giving little away.

‘That could be the case, we have not got so many midfielders and we have several options, so it’s not definite yet,’ said the Madrid boss, who also implied Figo would be asked to sacrifice his usual role.

‘I am pleased with the effort and sacrifice Figo is making, he shows he is a professional in every game.’

However, Remon was keen to avoid a war of words over Eriksson’s comments.

‘I agree with everyone, because everyone talks about us. Even coaches who never play against us have their opinion about the performances of our players,’ he added.

‘I think that everyone should show a little more respect and concentrate on their own jobs.’