“I have shown personally and we are all in agreement that we 100 percent support Karim”, Benitez said on Saturday. With nine wins, three draws and three losses this time around, they are slightly better off than the side from a few years ago, but that season they still managed to finish second in the league and win the Copa del Rey.
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Real are now five points behind joint leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the table.
Former England defender Gary Neville is still without a win in two games since taking over as Valencia coach after his new club had a man sent off and needed an Eibar own goal to rescue a 1-1 draw at the modest Basque side.
Speaking to reporters, Benitez lamented as poor first-half showing from his team as Villarreal was unfortunate not to take a more substantial lead into the interval.
Villarreal, who now lie fifth in La Liga, three points behind Madrid, were unfortunate not to enjoy a more handsome lead after a swashbuckling first-half performance at El Madrigal.
Another fine Bale cross was blasted over by Benzema moments later before Bale had a great chance himself, but on his weaker right foot didn t have the power to beat Alphonse Areola in the Villarreal goal.
He noted that the second half was a struggle for them, but said that they were able to get through those tough points in the match. “The team started the second half so well that it seemed a matter of time before we took one of our chances, and that’s why I held off on making substitutions, because the team was playing well”, he explained.
A near post header by Saul Niguez saw Diego Simeone’s team level by the half and after visiting pressure left the home side on the back foot, it was a stunning strike from Antoine Griezmann which settled it for Atletico. “We are happy with our work, but we don t understand any other way than through sheer effort”.
Valencia goalkeeper Jaume Domenech made a spectacular save to deny Sergi Enrich early on but could not stop the forward scoring just before half-time.
Neville was a surprise appointment to replace Nuno Espirito Santo and his first game in charge was Wednesday’s 2-0 reverse at home to Olympique Lyonnais that ended Valencia’s hopes of advancing to the Champions League knockout round.
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Real have won their last five matches in all competitions, including two in La Liga, and have moved to within four points of Barca who dropped two in a draw at Valencia last weekend.
