Alarm bells ringing in Madrid after Hannover thrashing

Tuesday's 3-0 thrashing in a friendly at German side Hanover has provoked concern and anxiety about Bernd Schuster's new-look Real Madrid side.

 Schuster was given the Real job to the detriment of Fabio Capello because - although the results obtained by the Italian were acceptable - the style of play was certainly not.

 Schuster was brought in a month ago to recapture the flowing passing game that Real have traditionally been admired for.

 On Tuesday night in Hannover, though, the only team playing handsome flowing football were the German hosts.

 According to radio station Cadena COPE on Wednesday morning, Real were "feeble in defence, slow in midfield and non-existent in attack."

   Cadena SER, for its part, pointed out that Schuster "will be in trouble...unless a clear improvement in playing style is seen soon."

   Catalan paper Mundo Deportivo, meanwhile, scoffed at Real's "ridiculous" display in Hannover.

 Schuster blamed the Hannover defeat on the Germans having started their pre-season training earlier than his team.

 "It is too early to go crazy", said the laconic German coach. "This team has to be judged when it is in good physical shape, not before...It is early to draw out important conclusion."

   Schuster denied that he was interested in signing Michael Ballack, but insisted that the purchase of Chelsea team-mate Arjen Robben was "essential."

   Real president Ramon Calderon, however, seems unwilling to pay Chelsea more than 30 million euros (41.11 million dollars) for Robben, to Schuster's chagrin.

 The German coach also insisted that the club should sign another left-back, though without mentioning Royston Drenthe of Feyenoord.

 Schuster was also asked about Calderon's eternal plan to sign Kaka from AC Milan.

 He replied that it would be "really difficult" to bring in Kaka this summer, but claimed that "sooner or later he will play for Madrid."

   Madrid sports papers Marca and AS on Wednesday both pointed to Kaka as a solution for Real's lack of fluidity in midfield.

 "This Can Only Be Fixed by Kaka" was the headline in Marca, whilst AS opened with "Let Kaka Come!"

   According to Marca, Calderon is still preparing a "final offer" to Milan for Kaka: a world record 90 million euros (123.34 million dollars) plus unwanted players Antonio Cassano and Emerson.

 But Schuster knows that Milan will probably not let Kaka leave, and that he will have to bring back Real's traditional stylish football without the Brazilian...and quickly.