Ancelotti: “It was an intelligent performance, without any risky play at the back”

NEWS | 18/01/2015 | Javier García (Getafe)

“Benzema's bit of play was the key to winning the game, what he did was extraordinary”, he stated.

Carlo Ancelotti spoke in the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez press room after the game and assessed Real Madrid's win: “It was a very good match overall. We lacked a bit of intensity at the beginning because we played on Thursday night, but we improved in the second half. It was an intelligent performance from us, without any risks being taken at the back”.

“That bit of play from Benzema was spectacular, I don't know what else to say. They whole team played well. His bit of play was the key to winning the game, what he did was extraordinary. Everyone is delighted. The goals came through team moves and that is fantastic. Cristiano and Bale finished their chances well. Gareth is fine, he only got a knock and is fully fit”.

The goals came through team moves and that is fantastic.

“I liked how the team played, they managed the game intelligently. We controlled the play well. Although we might need to improve in terms of pressuring opponents and the tempo was a bit slow during the first half”.

First half of the season
“We have done well during this first half of the La Liga season. We had a few problems at the start but then we went on a great run. The team are still fully motivated. We are well positioned and we have to continue on as such”.

The team's fitness
“The intensity levels were a bit higher before Christmas than they are now, but the team are improving. James, for example, wasn't as fit beforehand but he put in an extraordinary performance today. The team will get back to their peak fitness bit by bit”.

Working during the week
“We don't have many full weeks in which to train. We have the chance to prepare well for the next fixture and we'll work through the upcoming week with a normal training schedule”.