Rafa Benitez has reflected on the Madrid derby and revealed he believes Real Madrid will win the League and ‘many more trophies.’
The Coach appeared on Onda Cero’s Al Primer Toque programme, with his comments picked up by Marca and, after talking Sergio Ramos and the relationship between Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, he moved on to a range of other topics.
“I told my wife when at Valencia and still seven points behind the leaders that we would win the League,” he recalled.
“And one day we’d win the Champions League. I’ve also told her that Madrid can win the League and many more trophies.
“Madrid have the same points as this stage last season. We’ve scored fewer goals and we create a lot of chances, but we’re not effective enough.
“A defensive Coach? Defensive and organised are not the same thing. Madrid has an attacking mentality but if you have order, you concede fewer goals.
“Successful Coaches devote many hours to their work, but we have people who help us be continually up-to-date with the latest technology, without losing the essence of football.
“I have the newest software but what matters are the feelings you take from a match, and the data can’t confuse you.”
The question of Benitez’s approach was raised after the derby, with Ramos appearing to express doubt over the trainer’s tactics, but Benitez defended the 1-1 draw.
“If at Vicente Calderon we forced the best Atletico Madrid to make three changes in desperation and didn’t concede four times as in April this year, we must have done something right,” he argued.
“When you come to a team not everything can be adjusted, everything has a time. We’re talking about the first three months and we want everything to work perfectly.
“It’s a matter of time. We’re polishing the details but we have a great squad.”
