Share

Benitez rejects 'defensive' claims

Paris - Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez went on the attack on Tuesday as he dismissed Paris St Germain coach Laurent Blanc's observation that the Spanish giants prefer to defend rather than score goals.

Since Benitez's arrival at the Bernabeu this season he has made Real more solid unit at the back, conceding two goals from eight games in La Liga and none from two matches in Europe but he denied such statistics meant he is defensive.

"Our team attacks and if you look at the statistics they show that we attack and try and win games," Benitez told a news conference on the eve of Real's Champions League Group A showdown with PSG in Paris.

"My case is made by looking at the statistics from when I was at Chelsea, Napoli and Madrid.

"Here (in Spain) we are the side that is scoring most goals. If we have to attack then we will do and when we need to defend then we are able to do that. Basically we are an attacking side."

In an earlier press conference Blanc said it would be a battle between two styles of football.

"I think Madrid are quite defensive but also efficient and let in few goals," said Blanc.

"We are going to see two separate styles. I want to have the ball and from what I have seen of Madrid they defend and go out on the counter-attack."

It is a crunch game at the top of Group A with both sides on six points from two games.

Real face PSG in the midst of an injury crisis with Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez among those missing.

However, Benitez is confident that Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos are ready to return.

"Modric has been brought here because we think he is fit. We will now have to see how he is in training," he said.

"Sergio knows that if he has an injection then he will be able to play but after that he will have some pain."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1818 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1778 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1084 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 461 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 187 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 254 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE