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Real Madrid’s shock Champions League exit spurs anguish in Spain
Madrid, March 6 (IANS) Real Madrids shock exit from the Champions League after a 5-3 thrashing on aggregate in the round-of-16 at the hands of Ajax left Spains sports media struggling on Wednesday to find words to express the anguish caused by defeat.
Ajax thrashed Madrid 4-1 in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Tuesday, abruptly terminating the Spanish powerhouse’s bid to win Europe’s elite club competition for a fourth consecutive year, reports Efe news.
“End of an Era,” said Catalan newspaper Sport Ilustra, while national sports daily As chose “Tragic Week,” to describe how Madrid had crashed out of the Champions League and the Copa del Rey in a matter of days.
To add to the misery, editorials commented on how Madrid had also lost midweek at home to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey and then again to the same club three days later, also at home, leaving them 12 points adrift of their arch rivals after 26 rounds in the La Liga.
“You have to ask yourself what the club president (Florentino Perez) is thinking about when he chooses to spend a fortune on a new version of his stadium but then does not buy any players,” a fan, who declined to give his name, told As’ television crew outside the Bernabeu after the match.
“Time to quit, Florentino,” the paper added in another headline, referring to chants that could be heard ringing inside the massive venue in downtown Madrid as the match ended.
Editorials highlighted that Pérez had allowed star striker Cristiano Ronaldo to leave the club without finding a suitable replacement.
Other papers focused on Madrid’s bad luck with injuries to newcomer Vinicius Junior as well as Gareth Bale, once hailed as Ronaldo’s successor, and to midfielder Lucas Vázquez.
Sport Ilustra featured a photograph of the young Vinicius covering his face with the shirt, showing his pain at having to leave the field in the first half.
“Following the tests carried out today on our player, Vinicius Junior, by the Real Madrid medical department, he has been diagnosed with a ligament tear of the tibiofibular joint of the right leg,” Madrid said in a statement.
National sports daily Marca published a photograph of the Bernabeu at the end of the game with the caption: “Here lies a team that once made history”, adding that its exit before the knockout stage of a competition it had won 13 times was “humiliating.”
The paper went on to say that Madrid had missed its target and Ajax had “crushed the champion.”
Mundo Deportivo highlighted the two faces of the game, with the Ajax squad exultant while Madrid’s players looked down and out.
“A massive Ajax gave a soccer recital and caused an earthquake with unpredictable consequences,” said the Catalan sports newspaper.
Superdeporte from Valencia chose to focus on the “ridicule” that Perez and head coach Santiago Solari had faced from Madrid’s disappointed fans in the final minutes of the match.
–IANS
ajb/bc
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.