“We have had a board meeting and analysed the sporting situation at Real Madrid“, he said. “He was the coach that we picked for his professionalism, his trajectory and his experience”.
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He would love to rest central midfielder Sergi Busquets, but the doubts over Mascherano make that unlikely, although Marc Bartra has a chance to play in central defence alongside Gerard Pique. What we need to do now is close ranks and work hard.
Florentino Perez says Rafael Benitez will stay on as Real Madrid coach despite the pressure intensifying following a heavy Clasico defeat.
“Congratulations to the Barcelona players”, he wrote on his Instagram.
“We want to communicate that Rafa Benitez has all our support and confidence”. Real Madrid hasn’t beat Barcelona at the Camp Nou in a league game since 2012.
Rather than give his coaches a free hand, Perez is believed to instruct them to deploy Real’s marquee signings instead of players who may be in better form or better suited to a particular match scenario.
Perez said there was a campaign by a few members of the media to “destabilize” the club.
“They will not be able to do that”, Perez said.
It was Madrid’s second consecutive loss in the Spanish league, leaving it six points behind Barcelona after 12 rounds. However, Atletico Madrid are second, with Real Madrid third, and only four points off the Catalans.
On Monday, the club called a surprise press conference, with most under the impression that it will address the future of Rafa Benitez.
And he was Messi-like in setting up the opening goal as he drove at the Madrid defence before timing a ideal pass into the path of Suarez.
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Iniesta (9.34) and Claudio Bravo (8.67) deserve ample praise for their excellent performances at the Bernabeu, but it was Neymar who stole the plaudits in Madrid in yet another fine showing from the Brazilian. Both Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United are keen on signing Ronaldo if he becomes available, and his exit appears to be getting closer and closer by each failure on the pitch.
