Rafa Benitez insists he is unconcerned by claims his Real Madrid side are too defensive ahead of Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash with Celta Vigo in La Liga.
Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc resurrected talk of Benitez’s stereotype as a cautious Coach prior to the midweek Champions League stalemate at Parc des Princes, but the 55-year-old responded by simply citing his track record of trophy successes.
“Regardless of the match in Paris, I think my track record, however you want to spin it, contains a number of successes,” he said at a Press conference.
“From that, I can’t be concerned about how people want to label me. The team did well and gave a very good account of themselves [against PSG].
“The key is building on good results and good feelings. Rather than worry about what is being said, Madrid fans are more worried about what they see.
“[On Laurent Blanc’s claim that Madrid are more defensive now], I’ve been in football for many years now and, unfortunately, part of what is said and done in Press conferences is remembered more than the games themselves.
“I knew what I wanted to do, like the players, and we did. That’s the most important conclusion to draw.
“I liked how the team played in many aspects, defensive, offensive, transitions … This is a team who are united and all for one.
“The most important thing is that we have scored throughout. With the quality we have, providing the attitude is right, we can beat anyone.
“[On Toni Kroos playing further forward], it’s not so much a question of where a player is positioned but what he does on the pitch.
“I like it when people speak well of Kroos. A player can‘t be awful one week and good the next.
“[Kroos] can be good one week and quiet the next, but the game [against PSG] showed that the team were doing well and so were the players. When a team are doing well, the players shine.
“We know it will be a very difficult game [against Celta]. They haven’t lost yet, are playing with great intensity and have achieved good results and good feelings.
“They’re going to give it their all against Real Madrid, with extra motivation, intensity and emotion, so we have to play at the same level.
“Playing two and half days before is a disadvantage, but we have enough to approach the game with the idea of winning.
“We must appreciate that the teams have to work for nine months. It all depends on where you are, what your objectives are and how well you handle the pressure and anxiety.
“[Celta Vigo] are doing very well and deserve to be where they are. We must think about playing well and winning.
“I wasn’t here last season but watched Real Madrid matches and always said that they needed a midfielder of [Casemiro’s] characteristics.
“That’s why we took him back, and he’s always happy to work hard. If you have a player who balances things – who can play the ball and win it back – the team improve.
“We have quality players and very good attackers. The balance which Casemiro gives us helps sustain our attacks.
“[Celta’s XI going public] doesn’t change anything because the first thing I do is see how my own team are doing.
“At this stage, the priority is to know what we want to do, can do and face our opponents with great respect, knowing that it’ll be a very difficult match.
“I wouldn’t make any judgments yet. We’re still at the start of the season and the players still have to adapt [to my methods].
“We’re unbeaten, we’ve recorded good numbers on both an offensive and defensive level and we’re on the right track.
“If we need to attack, we’ll attack, if we have to defend, we’ll defend and play on the counter.”
