Rafa Benitez admits Real Madrid “lacked control” in their La Liga defeat to Sevilla on Sunday but is confident of a Clasico response.
Sergio Ramos’ opener was followed up by an injury to the defender and goals from Ciro Immobile, Ever Banega and Fernando Llorente, despite James Rodriguez’s late consolation, leaving Los Blancos three points behind Barcelona ahead of their Santiago Bernabeu showdown after the international break.
“We lacked control. It seemed that we had control of the game, but it wasn’t to be,” he said after the game.
“Our mistakes allowed them to grow. We should have finished the game off but didn’t.
“We were very good for the first half-hour as we had a lot of control in all aspects, but then we allowed them to have set-pieces.
“We started the second half well but then made mistakes. It became a matter of self-esteem.
“I saw a great Real Madrid and then one which lacked continuity in controlling the game.
“[On the Clasisco], we have time for our missing players to recover. It’s a different game and I hope the team respond well after this defeat.
“[James] is a great player in the final third but is still lacking sharpness [referring to why he did not start].
“I don’t think that [Ramos’ injury decided the result] because there were still many minutes remaining.
“[Raphael] Varane has done well, but making the change affected us.”
