LONDON -- Real Madrid's Jorge Valdano is attempting to play down the poor performances of his teams.
Valdano, hiding his disappointment in Real's 2-0 defeat at Racing Santander on Sunday with a look-ahead, said: "We have to reach conclusions and not give up hope for the league championship.
"I'm satisfied with my players' attitude, the team were not irresponsible. There were no deserters."
But the sports daily Marca reported on Real on Monday under the headline "Total crisis."
Real goes into next weekend's Madrid derby against city rival and league leader Atl?tico 12 points adrift in the table.
Then Real meets European Cup holder Ajax Amsterdam at home in a crucial Champions' League match the following Wednesday.
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Juventus striker Fabrizio Ravanelli moved Italy closer to the European championship finals and repaid coach Arrigo Sacchi for his faith with two goals, his third and fourth, in a 3-1 defeat of Ukraine in Bari, Italy, Saturday.
Italy is tied at 20 points with Croatia at the top of Group 4 and needs only a draw at home to Lithuania to advance.
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Manager Graham Taylor quit as manager of high-spending Division One club Wolves on Monday.
With the team 18th in the 24-team division and Wolves fans shouting for his firing, Taylor, 51, quit ahead of the ax.
The move came one day after Wolverhampton tied 0-0 at home against a Charlton squad that played most of the game with 10 men.
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England coach Terry Venables said Sunday he would not be dragged under by the "tentacles" of what he claims is a deep-seated conspiracy against him.
Venables was speaking a day after he made it public that for the last year, the police have been investigating his claims that he is a victim of a smear campaign.
September's game against Colombia was overshadowed by talk of a libel action -- eventually settled out of court.
Last month in Norway the talk was all about whether Venables lied about an approach from Inter Milan.
Now there is a new controversy that Venables, when Tottenham manager, approved a ?20,000 ($31,530) "gift" to former Southend manager David Webb for his part in the transfer of two Southend players. ()
(For other results, see Scorecard.)
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