Real must 'suffer' to win, says Solari
MADRID • Real Madrid will fly out to the United Arab Emirates to take on Japan's Kashima Antlers in the semi-finals of the Fifa Club World Cup on Wednesday on a winning note after beating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in LaLiga on Saturday.
Karim Benzema's 13th-minute strike was enough for Real to close the gap to two points on leaders Barcelona, who played Levante this morning (Singapore time), but the uninspiring display drew boos from the fans in the Santiago Bernabeu for the second time in four days following Wednesday's 3-0 Champions League defeat by CSKA Moscow.
Real were made to sweat for the victory by second-from-bottom Vallecano, who would have snatched a point in stoppage time had Sergio Ramos not cleared the second of Thibaut Courtois' double saves, from Alex Alegria and Emiliano Velazquez, off the line.
"That's football," said relieved Real coach Santiago Solari. "That's why it's such a beautiful game. When you're not playing great, when nothing's going right, you have to be prepared to suffer."
Little was seen from Real stars such as Luka Modric, presented with his Ballon d'Or before kick-off.
"We didn't give much away to Rayo and we created quite a few chances. With all respect to Rayo, who are a great side, I think we should have scored more," added Solari.
Earlier, Antoine Griezmann struck the winner for Atletico Madrid 10 minutes from the end after Real Valladolid had fought back from a two-goal half-time deficit. The 3-2 win moved Atletico to the top of the table, level with leaders Barcelona and and Sevilla on 31 points but Diego Simeone's men are third with an inferior goal difference behind both.
Meanwhile, Modric has criticised Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for not attending this month's Ballon d'Or ceremony where he was given the award, saying their decision was unfair to fellow players and voters. The Croatia captain broke the duo's decade-long stranglehold on the prestigious prize last month.
"I cannot speak about why someone didn't turn up at an award ceremony, it's their choice. It seems these votes and awards are only significant when they win," the 33-year-old playmaker told Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Real Madrid failed to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010. Real Madrid manager Santiago Solari says he will not resign after their last-16 Champions League exit to Ajax.
Real Madrid suffered then hit Ajax back - Solari - espn.com
Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari has shrugged off the Ref was right to award Real Madrid Casemiro penalty, says Solari. 14:17 The win against Levante took Real to within nine points of
Solari still committed to LaLiga title race | FOX Sports Asia
Solari denies La Liga title race is over after Real Madrid suffer shock home loss to Girona. But even though Madrid's shock home loss to struggling Girona last weekend ended a five-game winning
Cristiano Ronaldo wrong to say Real Madrid are not humble
Gareth Bale finally found the net for Real Madrid, ending his goal drought and leading his team to an easy victory over Huesca on the road at Estadio El Alcoraz. Real Madrid's Santiago Solari insists the tough playing conditions were down to his side's poor performance in
Real Madrid boss Santiago Solari won't 'give up' as Dani
It was not a good display from Real Madrid against Huesca, but what counts are the three points and Real done their job on Sunday. That's what Santiago Solari clung t
Real Madrid news: Santiago Solari says referee was right to
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 17, 2018, with the headline 'Real must 'suffer' to win, says Solari'. Print Edition | Subscribe.
Have to win these games to fight for the league, says Solari
Real Madrid boss Santiago Solari refused to say his side is out of the title race in La Liga despite slipping nine points behind Barcelona after a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Girona on Sunday.
Notes & Quotes: November 27, 2018 - Managing Madrid
Real must 'suffer' to win, says Solari, Football News & Top
Real Madrid coach Santi Solari hailed his team's ability to suffer and then hit back after Wednesday's 2-1 Champions League round-of-16 first-leg win at Ajax. Ajax overwhelmed Madrid at times and
Real Madrid Will '100%' Win a Major Title Next Season, Says
Real Madrid defender Sergio Reguilon is confident his team can bounce back from a disappointing campaign and says they will "100%" win a major title next season. The left-back told Goal's Albert
Santiago Solari: Title Race 'Not at All' over Despite Real
Solari says every match is a test at Real Madrid. Santiago Solari was also interviewed prior to the Roma match and asked about the loss to Eibar. "All of the games are tests. Every day is a big
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment