Aitor Karanka took to the Pressroom instead of Jose Mourinho post-Deportivo and spent most of the time discussing team selection.
Mourinho made four changes to the team from last weekend’s win at Rayo Vallecano, and then notably substituted Mesut Ozil at half-time to give Ricky Kaka his first appearance of the season.
Despite the 5-1 scoreline registered against the Galicians, that was the point of focus to post-match questions for Mourinho’s assistant Coach.
“The improvement of Kaka has been seen all over the world,” remarked Karanka.
“We were the first to tell him that he would have games here if he stayed with us at the close of the market. It is what we all want and what we had in previous years.
“We want players who are 100 per cent. We do what we see as best for the team and I think that at that time the change was the best option,” Karanka continued, before turning his attention to the side’s other German, Sami Khedira.
“We believe that Khedira has excelled above all, he has had a great, multifunctional game and defended strongly. It was a great game for him.”
Sergio Ramos was also moved out of centre-back and to right-back, but Karanka dismissed reasons as to why as little more than a technical decision.
“Ramos is one of the best centre-backs in the world. We had thought that [Michael] Essien would play on the right side of defence but he was injured so we had to act.”
Karanka also expressed little concern for Real playing on Wednesday in the Champions League when Barcelona play on the Tuesday ahead of next weekend’s Clasico. He also offered no interest in discussing the refereeing decisions during Barca’s win at Sevilla, nor on the current eight-point gap between the teams.
“This gap is how it is for the points earned. We are thinking only now towards Ajax [in midweek] and Barca [on Sunday].”
