While Benzema was changed, fellow striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who has only scored in one of Madrid’s seven league games, continues to play 90 minutes, despite looking out of form, but Benitez denied the striker was “untouchable”.
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Despite his discontent, Benzema is La Liga’s top scorer this season with six goals following his header against Atletico.
“It’s true I’m fed up of being taken off”, he said after the game. “If you ask me, yes, I’d say he’s the best in the world”. “He took me off to get a result, for defensive reasons”, exclaimed the visibly distraught 27-year-old.
“I won’t substitute him“, he said.
And the man who masterminded Atletico’s incredible title triumph in 2013/14 hailed the competitive start to the season that sees Villarreal and Celta Vigo upsetting Madrid and Barcelona’s applecart.
A forum for Real fans on Marca’s website also accused Benitez’s tactics of being “too conformist”, “a bit cowardly” and “negative”.
Benitez shrugged off the criticism that followed the derby stalemate and insisted his immediate focus is working with the players not on global duty.
“He’s a player I love, a phenomenon”.
He added: “I’ve been made aware that there was some [criticism] but I’m focused on coaching the few players that remain”. I have come here from Napoli where we scored 104 goals, so I am not going to be defensive with Madrid. I don’t read the press that much. A team that creates chances, and is great in possession is not defensive.
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The battling win places Madrid on six factors from two Champions League Group A matches, whereas Malmo is pointless having additionally misplaced 2-Zero to Paris Saint-Germain in its different match.
