To the consternation of all involved in their party, Real Madrid were informed that their flight from Spain was the only one that had been allowed to land at Leeds-Bradford airport on Tuesday so bad was the weather in Yorkshire. Last night as they departed the runway for the Intercontinental Cup in Tokyo with three points and their second victory in England in six months, the European Cup holders will surely have reflected that fog on the tarmac proved to be the most troublesome hazard they encountered on their journey.
That may seem a little harsh on Leeds United but, missing Eirik Bakke and Olivier Dacourt in midfield was a handicap even David O'Leary's formidable acumen could not mask. Leeds were outrun and overrun in the middle. "Outclassed," said O'Leary.
But all is not lost and by the time they go to Madrid next March Leeds should have Bakke, Dacourt and Harry Kewell available. They may also have Rio Ferdinand should his contract talks go well today. They could do with him, both Real's goals, in the 66th and 68th minutes, came through the centre. Fernando Hierro scored the opener with a header and then Raul surged into the heart of Leeds's defence to thrust in the second.
Few could argue it was not the deserved outcome, Real showed their considerable pedigree from the beginning and were flustered rarely at the back, though Jonathan Woodgate did strike a post in the eighth minute. Even O'Leary conceded that a home goal then might not have made any difference to the eventual outcome. "We gave a spirited performance in the first half," he said, "but this was a game too far".
Real now host Anderlecht, fresh from their victory over Sven Goran Eriksson's Lazio, and Leeds go to Rome hoping a bad flight is the worst of their worries.
They could certainly do with a return of some European luck. Leeds, remember, were indebted to Barcelona's goalkeeper Richard Dutruel for their invaluable point here last month, just as they had been to Dida, AC Milan's goalkeeper previously.
Not many suspected that Iker Casillas, Madrid's outstanding 19-year-old goalkeeper, would make a similar blunder yet in United's only serious attack of the first half hour, Casillas came for a Lee Bowyer freekick from the right and missed his connection.
The ball dropped to Woodgate. who did well to improvise with a stabbed volley. It hit the post. The rebound came to Gary Kelly who put a rushed header narrowly wide.
It was a heartening moment for Leeds who had already spanked a half-volley over the crossbar and Real were exhibiting the kind of fluid power that won them the European Cup. They proceeded to take over.
Everywhere there was quality to enjoy. Helguera, sitting in front of his defence, smoothed the ball out precisely from the back. Steve McManaman, advanced in front of him, linked with Raul in attack. And Luis Figo, given licence to roam, did just that to no little effect. In the 19th minute Figo jinked marvellously past two white shirts, dinked the ball to Geremi whose cross was headed off the line by Danny Mills.
Paul Robinson then made a save from Raul and in the 33rd minute a superb Real move featuring Guti, Raul and Roberto Carlos ended with Raul striking the Leeds woodwork with Robinson beaten.
It was impressive football but this Leeds have displayed major resilience this season and they absorbed it all and tried to fight back. Six minutes before the interval they were aided by Ivan Campo finding Bowyer with an attempted clearance from his byline. Bowyer's deep centre found the head of Dominic Matteo but his effort went straight, if powerfully, at Casillas. But they went in goalless and level, though it was a state of affairs that did not fool O'Leary. "That's only 45 minutes and quality people just keep going," he said. McManaman was included in that compliment. And another. "In rhythm with the rest of the team he was very hardworking and gave us decent control of the middle," said Madrid's manager Vicente Del Bosque.
O'Leary's assessment of Real's stamina was reflected at the re-start. When Figo linked with Raul to force a feet first block from Robinson, a crescendo of Madrid pressure was building. Two minutes later they were two ahead. First Hierro climbed above Woodgate to beat Robinson with a header from Figo's cross and then Raul ran onto Guti's delicate pass to leave Robinson stranded with a slick finish from 12 yards. There was a hint of offside about the second but these were two remarkably simple goals.
It was all too simple in fact. And Leeds's recent record is now one win in 10 games.
Leeds United: Robinson, Kelly, Harte, Radebe, Woodgate, Viduka, Bowyer, Smith, Mills, Matteo, Burns (Wilcox 59). Subs Not Used: Milosevic, Huckerby, Jones, Maybury, Molenaar, Evans. Booked: Woodgate, Bowyer, Smith.
Real Madrid: Casillas, Carlos, Hierro, Helguera, Raul, McManaman, Figo (Savio 84), Campo, Guti (Munitis 90), Geremi, Makelele. Subs Not Used: Cesar, Salgado, Morientes, Conceicao, Karanka. Booked: Figo, Guti, Hierro. Goals: Hierro 66, Raul 68.
Referee: Dick Jol (Holland).
