Benitez bemused by latest Madrid defeat – Valencia fighting spirit impresses Neville

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MADRID, Dec 14, (Agencies): Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez was at a loss to explain his side’s terrible first-half performance after they slipped to a third defeat in five league games at Villarreal on Sunday.

Madrid now trail leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid by five points after failing to respond to Roberto Soldado’s eighth minute winner against his old side.

After being outplayed before the break, Benitez’s men looked like a different side after half-time as they carved out a series of chances to turn the game on its head.

However, days after being indefinitely banned from representing France for his part in alleged blackmail attempt on international teammate Mathieu Valbuena, Karim Benzema wasted a hat-trick of glorious chances, whilst Cristiano Ronaldo was largely anonymous as the pressure mounted on Benitez.

“It is difficult to explain because it is clear in the first-half we didn’t play well and I expected the team we saw in the second-half, albeit we lacked precision,” said Benitez.

Madrid missed a huge chance to close the gap at the top after Barca had surprisingly dropped two points at home to Deportivo la Coruna on Saturday after blowing a two-goal lead in the final 15 minutes.

Benitez refused to admit defeat in the title race with 23 matches still to go, but acknowledged his star-studded squad couldn’t afford to pass up many more opportunities on the rare occasions Barca slip-up.

“I insist this is a league in which all the teams will lose points,” he added.

“The important thing is to face the games like we did in the second-half, that will allow us to have more guarantees and win games.

“I am not happy at all with the first-half and I think the reaction in the second-half is the route we have to follow. Unfortunately, today it has cost us three points.

“Evidently we know that to fight for the league we have to win a lot of games. These games, with a favourable situation before the match, are the games where we really need to show that we are going for the league.”

Madrid had seemed to be back on track after their 4-0 humiliation at the hands of Barcelona last month having strung together five consecutive wins before travelling to El Madrigal, including a record 8-0 thrashing of Malmo in the Champions League on Tuesday.

However, defender Pepe questioned the spirit of his teammates as Villarreal pounced on a incredibly lame start by the 10-time European champions.

“We weren’t switched on from the beginning. We know Villarreal would make it difficult and to win games we need to start brighter and with more determination,” said the Portuguese international.

“We need to fix this and speak to one another. I don’t know the reason why we started the first-half without much spirit in the team.”

Valencia’s new manager Gary Neville was impressed by his team’s fighting spirit in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Eibar when the former England defender watched them fight back from a goal down with 10 men.

Appointed this month to replace Nuno Espirito Santo, Neville has presided over a 2-0 defeat at home to Olympique Lyonnais, which ended Valencia’s hopes of a place in the Champions League knockout round, and the stalemate at modest Basque side Eibar, his La Liga debut.

Eibar took a deserved lead shortly after halftime and Valencia had Lucas Orban sent off midway through the second period when the defender conceded a penalty.

Goalkeeper Jaume Domenech brilliantly saved Saul Berjon’s spot kick and the visitors levelled five minutes from time when the ball ricocheted in off home defender David Junca.

Valencia have been depleted in recent weeks by injuries and suspensions and Neville said the battling draw could build confidence as the team, who are eighth in La Liga, try to climb the table and progress in the Europa League.

“I have only had three training session with the team, you have a limited time to show what you want to do,” Neville, who has a contract with the Singapore-owned club until the end of the season, told a news conference.

“What we saw in the final 20 minutes is the minimum what Valencia should be in every match and that makes me proud,” added the former Manchester United defender.

“I think that the Valencia fans who watched the match on the television or here at the stadium would have gone away feeling proud of the team’s commitment.

“We wanted to win, obviously, the draw is not ideal but I think that given the circumstances a draw is positive.

“When you manage to get a draw playing with 10 men it can boost your confidence.”

Neville hinted Valencia, who are backed by billionaire owner Peter Lim, are unlikely to bring any players in during the January transfer window.

“I am just focusing on the players we have and the ones who are injured,” he said.

“We have a lot of players and what we have to achieve is that the youngsters develop and experiences like today are fundamental.

“One of the best things you have in Spain is that you are bringing players through from the youth ranks and I am not going to destroy that.”

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