Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 8y

Real Madrid 'made mistakes' but looked solid vs. Shakhtar - Benitez

Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez said he was happy with how his team had reacted after their Clasico hammering, when speaking after Wednesday's 4-3 Champions League Group A win at Shakhtar Donetsk.

After coming into the game under a cloud following the 4-0 loss at home to Barca last Saturday, Madrid appeared in full control after Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals and assisted two more for teammates Dani Carvajal and Luka Modric.

Then almost unbelievably Shakhtar scored three times in 11 minutes through an Alex Teixeira brace [one a penalty] and a free header at a corner from substitute Dentinho.

Benitez's side were rocking but held on for the victory, which ensured they won Group A and will go into the draw for the last 16 as a top seed.

The Blancos coach told reporters afterwards that, on balance, he was very happy to have been able to bounce back from the weekend and play so well for most of the game.

"After the game against Barcelona, to react as the team reacted, to go 4-0 up away from home in Champions League, is very positive," Benitez said. "The most important is to be top of our group, and the great game we played for 78 mins.

"We have things to analyse, mistakes made, but we got three points, are first in group, scored four goals away from home. We showed lots of commitment, it was great work from the players."

Madrid conceded just four goals in their first 14 games of the season, but in three games since they have now conceded 10 times. Those 10 goals came from just 15 shots on target by opponents Sevilla, Barcelona and Shakhtar. Benitez denied that something had gone wrong structurally with his team.

"At 4-0 of course we thought the game was won," he said. "But we must know how to manage those moments, after we conceded, that's something we must manage better. It is about analysing each goal.

"Those today were avoidable. A debatable penalty, then a goal at a corner. With more concentration we would avoid that - and be just as solid as before. We must give merit to [Shakhtar]. When two teams meet with quality players, sometimes there can be plenty of goals."

Benitez had made seven changes to the lineup from the Clasico, with just Ronaldo, Modric, Gareth Bale and Raphael Varane keeping their places.

"There were some changes, it is very important to retain competition for places among the squad," he said. "We need to have all our players ready to go out on the pitch. And those who played today did well.

"The players knew what they had to do, they did well, they showed intensity and motivation. Those who were on the pitch did sensationally well."

Bale set up both of Ronaldo's goals with strong runs down the left wing, but Rafa rejected a suggestion that the Welshman had shown he should always play wide.

"I believe today, if you watch closely, we played with front three changing positions, they had freedom," he said. "When we were ahead, there were more spaces, which Gareth could take advantage of. It all depends on how the game develops."

Already missing injured defenders Sergio Ramos and Marcelo, Benitez also saw centre-back Varane limp off in the first half with a hamstring problem but again denied there was anything strange in so many fitness problems.

"When you play many games and many minutes, this can happen," he said. "We have got many players back and I see that as a positive."

Benitez was asked about the importance of Croatia midfielder Modric, who was substituted on 62 minutes with his team 3-0 ahead and was then missed when Shakhtar came back late on.

"I don't like to talk of individual players, but we have three or four players who are less talked about," he said. "But we know they are fundamental for us. They give balance, quality, know-how and meaning to the team."

^ Back to Top ^