Reuters
Madrid, Nov 22: Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez struggled to find explanations Saturday evening after watching his side humiliated 4-0 at home by arch rivals Barcelona in the ‘Clasico’.
Taking charge of the biggest fixture in club soccer for the first time, Benitez suffered a baptism of fire that leaves him in a precarious position only three months into his debut season.
A chastened Benitez, who took over from Carlo Ancelotti at the end of last season, said he was focusing on picking the players up for Tuesday’s Champions League Group A game at Shakhtar Donetsk, with Real already assured of a place in the knockout round.
“Of course it hurts, it hurts a lot to lose like this,” Benitez told a news conference. “What we have to do now is stay united. It wasn’t a question of attitude. We were up against a very good side and we paid for our mistakes.”
Benitez said his idea was for his players to try to pressure Barca and keep the ball but he refused to blame any player for the debacle. “Now’s not the time to assess individuals,” Benitez said. “We have to reflect on what happened and stay united. Regroup as quickly as we can. The season is long and we can’t ponder over the loss.”
