Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas has admitted no one in the side played well in the 2-1 win over Cordoba but scraping to victory like they did is the difference between winning and missing out on the league title.
Los Blancos conceded after just three minutes after Sergio Ramos was adjudged to have handballed in the box and Nabil Ghilas converted the penalty. Karim Benzema equalised after half an hour for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Life was made more difficult for Real as Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for a petulant kick 10 minutes from time but Gareth Bale saved the day in the final minute to pop up and convert a spot kick awarded for a handball.
Speaking after the game, Casillas told reporters: “No one was at their best in this game and we got through this more with character than with good play. These are the types of games that win league titles and we had no choice but to win. The penalty came right after kick off and was a setback. The supporters pushed their team on from the beginning until the end. Córdoba created chances and could have made it 2-1.”
He went on to add: “We knew they would be a tough team to play against and they were very good on the counter-attack. The game looked destined to finish all square after we went down to ten men, but we managed to get that penalty and now leave here happy with three points in the bag. But we’re also annoyed because that is not the way we usually play.”
