At the self-proclaimed biggest football club in the world, too many of the players appeared to not care. When asked why he had immediately left the pitch and not acknowledged the supporters Ronaldo's reply was simple.

"Nobody, " the bloated Brazilian striker said "told me to go and do it". But why should they have to? Casillas said the players were "hurting" but maybe not all of them. And maybe not enough.

On the eve of the first-leg Ronaldo, the most indulged employee of the most indulgent club, said he was unloved and wanted to leave. His wish will be granted this summer and Ronaldo will not be on his own on the way out. Zinedine Zidane is expected to retire, while Roberto Carlos, Ivan Helguera, Michel Salgado, Thomas Gravesen and Antonio Cassano, are also likely to be discarded. "I don't know if it's the end of the cycle, " Ronaldo said. "The club has people above to decide and it's not for us to judge who stays."

But the judgment is being made. The departure of president Florentino Perez signalled, after six years, the end of the 'galacticos' policy. It involved taking Luis Figo from Barcelona, paying his buy-out clause, close to £40m and then the following year doing to same with Juventus's Zinedine Zidane, for £50m and then, 12 months later, Ronaldo from Internazionale for £28m and then David Beckham for £24m. Each player was paid exorbitant wages, no less than £4m-a-year after tax, but their contracts, initially at least, meant that 50 per cent of future commercial earnings went to the club.

At first it was a virtuous circle but there was a major problem. So much was tied to off-field activities that they took precedence. Pre-season tours to China were more important than pre-season training while players had such star status that they were guaranteed their places. Steve McManaman called it: "The Disneyification of Madrid". It certainly turned into a Mickey Mouse organisation with Perez, having spent £285m in transfer fees but reducing the debt, going through six coaches, having sacked Vicente del Bosque after he had won two European Cups, and four directors of football. One of those, the most-recently departed Arrigo Sacchi, railed against Perez's desire to be in charge of everything from team selection to press releases. The result is the club, three seasons without a trophy, has hit its biggest crisis in 50 years.

Sacchi is from the Milan school of management and he knows all about the end of dynasties and also how to control superstars having coached Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard to such extraordinary and disciplined success.

It's understood that a summit of Madrid directors was held in London last week and they were there to discuss the way ahead and the name of former coach Fabio Capello, now at Juventus, was discussed. Capello wants the job.

He also succeeded Sacchi at Milan during the 90s and can, be the strong man to execute the necessary clear out.

Crucially one of Capello's demands is, like Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, that he wants to be the highest-paid employee. The Italian believes it sends out the right message. Also, on the flight back to Madrid, another name was mentioned.

That of Milan's current coach, Carlo Ancelotti, who is likely to leave at the season's end. His side had just demolished Bayern Munich 4-1 and the Madrid powerbrokers were impressed. It's clear to see the way they believe they can be revived with Rafael Benitez, a third candidate, a similarly strong, team-oriented leader.

Perez didn't want such a change. His anointed successor, Fernando Martin, does and may have to do so to hold onto the post. He can wait until 2008 before holding presidential elections but is under pressure to do so now. It was clear from his initial address that the main problem is the galacticos. He demanded 24hour dedication, saying players' would be scrutinised off and on the pitch.

It's a populist move. One banner at the Bernabeu last weekend was directed at Perez and read simply: "President, it wasn't your fault. Out with the mercenaries!" while Raul, who has never seen eyeto-eye with Ronaldo, and who also may not survive the cull, said that the term "galacticos. . . has caused the club more damage over the last few years than anything else. I hope this word will go away now." To do that the players, too, have to leave. That revolution is about to begin.