MX23RW : Tuesday, November 26 04:00:52| >> :120:28133:28133:

Rafael Benitez: 'I am not a defensive coach'

Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez claims that his label as primarily a defensive manager is unfair.

Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez has played down suggestions that he is primarily a defensive manager.

Throughout his career, Benitez has been known as a manager that places a big emphasis on the defensive side of the game.

However, the Spaniard has claimed that Real's approach in the Madrid derby at the weekend is an indication that he always puts out attacking teams.

"I don't do catenaccio, not at all. In Italy it was said I was too attacking. Two years in a row we scored 104 goals, beating Napoli's record," Benitez told COPE.

"[In Spain] I am labelled defensive, or catenaccio, and we are the team that has the most shots on goal and the most goals. The proof is in the first half of the derby. Why did the team play so well and why were they so superior to Atletico then? Because we went out to win the game. I never tell the team to drop back. I've never done that.

"Last year this team played at Vicente Calderon against a great team and this year we played against Atletico's best team, the best squad Diego Simeone has had, and for the first time we absolutely dominated all facets of the game."

Real Madrid have only conceded twice in the league this season, while they have found the back of the net on 15 occasions.

ID:251056: cacheID:251056:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2152:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (R) and Malmo's Norwegian midfielder Jo Inge Berget vie for the ball during the UEFA Champions League first-leg Group A football match between Malmo FF and Real Madrid CF at the Swedbank Stadion, in Malmo
Read Next:
Benitez: 'Ronaldo is unquestionable'
>
Read more about Rafael Benitez Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Real Madrid1393128111730
3Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
4Villarreal137422521425
5Athletic Bilbao146532013723
6Osasuna146441922-322
7GironaGirona146352018221
8Mallorca146351312121
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad145361111018
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano134451314-116
14Leganes143561319-614
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!