This story could start with Jonathan Woodgate's words the day he played his first game for Real Madrid, only the words he used then can't be used here, in a family publication. Down under the main stand at the Santiago Bernabeu, a little while after that meeting with Athletic Club in September 2005, there were expletives everywhere as the English defender was still trying to work out what on earth had happened, and not without reason.
"What a debut!" he said, which was at least a line that could be published. Which was true, too.