Real Madrid

Real Madrid beat Deportivo authoritatively in the La Liga match day six match. Aitor Karanka addressed the press room and noted the difference that there is with the top of the table: "Right now these are the points that the teams have and what we have to do is focus on our own, play our matches and take the points. Right now we just have to think about the match in Amsterdam and the one on Saturday will come along on its own. We want to keep improving, growing and winning matches".

The team faces two matches this week and Karanka said: "It was a league match, its three points and we will analyse it tomorrow, as with every match, and draw the necessary conclusions. Especially taking into account Wednesday's match, which is the next thing to tackle. We have the feeling that we need to concentrate on ourselves. To keep improving and growing and win the league matches that we have. We are thinking about Wednesday’s match and afterwards we will think about the Barcelona match".

The assistant coach was asked about Özil and Modric being in the starting line-up: "What we want most and what is we most emphasise is team play. Khedira played in midfield with them and I think that he excelled. He had a great performance did a lot of defensive duties and I think he played a great match." He said that replacing Özil at halftime was "a tactical change as were others in the second half and as in every match. Each change is for the best, for what the team needs, and in that moment it was Mesut that we thought should be replaced".

Kaká came on in the second half and Karanka highlighted that: "Everyone is seeing the improvement in Kaká. We were the first to say that if he stayed, as last year, he would have matches to show what he has. When a player works as he does when they get these matches and these opportunities it is reflected on the field, which is what we all want. We want all players to be at 100%, which in the end is more difficult for us but it is the best for the team".

Sergio Ramos played right-back today and the assistant coach praised his display: "Sergio Ramos, as the coach said clearly yesterday, is one of the best centre-backs in the world, if not the best with Pepe when he as his best as the coach said. Today we thought Essien could have played wing back but because he was injured, Sergio played wing back and was confident to play there".  About the physical state of Di María he said: "It was a problem because of tiredness because of the pace that Ángel plays at, which everyone sees, but he finished tired and fatigued, nothing more".

Real Madrid will play on Wednesday and Sunday, having one less day of rest for the classic against Barcelona in the next league match: "It is what it is. We play on Wednesday and then Sunday. It is UEFA’s scheduling. We are focused on ourselves". Karanka finished talking about their next opponent in the Champions League: "There are no major changes from last year. We will start to work more on Ajax tomorrow".