‘No Benitez, Perez, Madrid connection’

Former Real Madrid sporting director Arrigo Sacchi believes Rafa Benitez is struggling because he hasn’t made a connection with Florentino Perez or the fans.

Sacchi, employed at Santiago Bernabeu between 2004 and 2005, told the Gazzetta dello Sport there is unrest because the change of Coach, from Carlo Ancelotti to Rafa Benitez, hasn’t gelled with the people involved.

“[The switch] hasn’t metabolised on a tactical-technical level, or human or psychological,” the two-time European Cup winner argued, AS reports.

“The connection between the fans and Benitez hasn’t been born, nor has the connection with Perez. Madrid is a group of stars but not always a team.

“They’re based on individual rather than collective quality, and the Coach has to do his best without affecting the leadership of the players.

“It’s a group of stars, perhaps the best in the world, but not always a team.”