Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez has admitted his side was not clinical enough in their opening day draw with Sporting Gijon but remains optimistic about the season ahead.
Los Blancos drew a blank against the La Liga newcomers and questions will be raised about why the forwards aren’t firing on all cylinders yet. Real had plenty of possession and in total had 16 shots on goal but couldn’t find the back of the net.
Speaking at his press conference afterwards, Benitez said he was frustrated with the scoreline but he’s confident the side will soon click into gear.
“The first half was difficult, we lost possession on quite a few occasions and we gave them opportunities to create dangerous situations. In the second half we played with much more intensity, had more control and were better at getting ourselves into good positions in attack, and we could have won the match,” he said.
And he added: “The team reacted in the second half, they showed character, personality and had control. In the second half the team went after the match and looked to win it, but we just weren’t clinical enough.”
When quizzed about how to get the best of his forwards he stated: “To get the best out of the players that we have, we have to give them a certain degree of freedom. We saw quite a few moments of attacking play from the players up front, but with less space in the second half it’s a question of precision. When there were spaces, we saw quite a few situations where all the players up front were involved.”
Rafa Benitez has made an eloquant analysis which in fact supports my view. Still, i insist on having the forwards playing together and smart. Playing static won’t open enough chances to score especially when the oponent choose to pack the box. Creativity and mobility, vision and precision must be applied to the front line to enable goals. Put away the selfishness and one name calling for the benefit of the team. Hala Madrid…