Rafa blames injuries for tame attack
Print Edition
REAL Madrid coach Rafa Benitez blamed injuries to important players for their lack of attacking sparkle as they stuttered to victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Benitez’s side clinched a place in the last 16 and boasts a mean defense that has only conceded four goals in 14 games in all competitions, but the pressure is starting to grow on the coach at the Bernabeu where there is a demand for thrilling football.
“Our objective is always to go out and attack and it isn’t to not concede but you also have to consider the quality of the opposition and you have to adapt your game,” Benitez said after the 1-0 win over PSG.
“If you look at the players that score most of the goals for us then we have three of them who were not playing.
“We have qualified for the next round without a lot of important players.”
Attacking duo Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema were both injured while James Rodriguez was an unused substitute after returning to the squad following almost two months on the sidelines.
Injuries in Real’s defense were easing with Sergio Ramos and Pepe back fit but it was dealt a blow with Marcelo limping off against PSG and tests were to be carried out yesterday to discover the extent of the problem.
“When you play so many games together then the risk of injury increases and this is unfortunately what has happened,” said Benitez.
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