Mario Mandzukic scored the only goal as Juventus leapfrogged Manchester City to the top of Group D with a 1-0 win in Turin.
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“We are a great team showing good results with the exception for the last two games”, said Benitez.
They are now six point behind Barcelona in La Liga, but can still draw comfort from their fine Champions League form where they have already qualified with 7:0 goal difference.
Former Inter Milan defender Marco Materazzi appears to be having the same opinion with Ronaldo about Benitez.
“I think Malmo should be glad to concede only four goals”. “I want to take away the positive aspects and we will analyze the mistakes we made”.
The season has not even reached the halfway stage, and although the defeat to Barcelona will have hurt Madrid, there is plenty of time for them to claw back to level terms.
Shakhtar meanwhile will be without banned captain Srna for the contest after he picked up a booking in their previous win over Malmo, while Oleksandr Kucher also suffered the same fate.
Madrid will be taking confidence from the comfortable win they recorded in the reverse fixture at the Bernabéu back on the Champions League’s first matchday.
Real Madrid’s coach Rafael Benitez gives instructions to his players during the Champions League Group A soccer match between FC Shakhtar and Real Madrid at Arena Lviv stadium in Lviv, Western Ukraine, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015.
“There were some changes, it is very important to retain competition for places among the squad”, he said.
Saturday also sees an Andalusia derby in the relegation zone as Malaga, who have only scored in two games this campaign, play at home to Granada.
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.
Paul Scholes believes Real Madrid downgraded their manager when they replaced Carlo Ancelotti with Rafa Benitez, as per BT Sport’s Champions League coverage (via Goal).
Madrid have mounting injury problems in defence as Raphael Varane came off against Shakhtar with a hamstring problem, whilst Sergio Ramos and Marcelo are also out. I’m more satisfied with the first 78 minutes.
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According to the report, Benitez had this to say regarding his players, “I am absolutely confident that players still trust me”. “But we know they are fundamental for us”.
