Pepe: Madrid behind Benitez & Perez

Pepe has made it clear that Real Madrid are firmly behind Rafa Benitez and Florentino Perez following Sunday’s 2-0 win at Eibar.

Benitez’s future as Coach was plunged into uncertainty after the 4-0 Clasico humbling by Barcelona nine days ago, while there had been talk that Perez would call presidential elections due to his own untenable position, but Los Blancos have since won back-to-back matches to ease talk of a crisis.

“We didn’t expect to have the game we had against Barcelona, but we’re with the Coach the President,” the defender said after the game.

“We have to match the intensity of our opponents. We know we have a lot of quality in our locker, but that alone won’t win games.

“The fans have asked us to play for the badge and that’s what we’ll do.

“The Clasico hurt us a lot, but we have pride and working hard is the only way we’ll get out of this situation.

“We’re working hard to get to where we want to be at the end of season.

“There’s nothing wrong [with Cristiano Ronaldo]. You just have to look at his all-round performance.

“He knew it’d be a difficult game but worked hard, as did all the players, plus [Gareth] Bale scored.

“We have the example of last year [in reference to how a good start to a season does not lead to ultimate success].

“We won a lot of games but lost the League. We have to work hard and see what happens in the future.” 

Tags Florentino Perez Pepe Rafa Benitez
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