Paddy Agnew/Euroscene: The Real Madrid globetrotters are human after all. Their 4-2 away defeat by Real Sociedad in a top-of-the-table clash on Sunday, days after their majestic 3-1 dismissal of Manchester United, was arguably the most stunning result of the weekend in Europe.
Critics will doubtless suggest the 6-2 drubbing inflicted on Newcastle United by United on Saturday was every bit as stunning. That may indeed be so but Sunday's stumble by Real could have done more than simply underline the human frailties of the men in white. It might just also have held out an unexpected lifeline for Alex Ferguson's side, come the second leg of that Champions League quarter-final.
In particular, the Old Trafford camp might do well to check out the post-match explanations offered by winning coach Raymond Denoueix, the former Nantes coach, who has guided Real Sociedad to their best season in years. An exultant Denoueix highlighted three factors behind his side's win, "An early goal, a fantastic attitude from the players and the support of the home fans were the key to the game. We set out with the aim of creating as much danger as possible early on and wanted to make sure we made the most of our chances."
The result not only broke the spell of Real Madrid's seeming invincibility, ending a run of six successive Liga wins, but it also puts one-time leaders Real Sociedad right back in the title contest. With nine games to play, Real Madrid are just three points clear of joint-second placed Deportivo La Coruna and Real Sociedad.
Intriguingly, too, before they go to Old Trafford, Real Madrid face Barcelona next Saturday night at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid.
Manchester United fans can be forgiven if they are already envisaging an ideal combination of circumstances. Firstly, their own men in red see off Arsenal tomorrow night to wrap up the Premiership title contest. Secondly, Barcelona put one over on their old rivals to leave the Real Madrid nerves red and raw on the eve of the clash with United. Thirdly, Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy scores a second-minute opening goal against Real Madrid next week and the rest is pure fantasy.
Before United fans get carried away, however, one or two observations must be made. Firstly, such was the staggering, psychological intensity of Real Madrid's exquisite annihilation of United at the Bernabeu that a subsequent drop in form and loss of concentration was only to be expected.
Coaches all over Europe, from Arsène Wenger at Arsenal to Marcello Lippi at Juventus and on to Radimir Antic at Barcelona, never tire of reminding us how difficult it is for a side to simultaneously maintain winning form in both the Champions League and their own domestic league.
That point was underlined last weekend not only by Real Madrid but also by Italian league leaders Juventus, who scrambled to a fortuitous 2-2 draw with Bologna just four days after being held to a 1-1 Champions League draw by Barcelona (also losers on Sunday, beaten 4-2 at home to Deportivo).
The reality of the Real Madrid All Stars is that if ever there was a side fashioned to respond to the demands of the big occasion, it is this one. Regular slip-ups in the humdrum grind of their domestic league are all too likely for Zidane, Figo, Raul, Roberto Carlos et al. Such slip-ups when the Champions League chips are down, as they will be at Old Trafford next week, are another matter altogether.
In the history of football, few teams have matched the grace of movement, swiftness of athletic thought, sublime technique and imperious self-confidence of this Real Madrid side, when it decides to put its best foot forward. Come next week at Old Trafford, it could be best foot forward time again.
