Benitez: Defensive? My Napoli team scored 104 goals!

Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez dismissed claims his side had paid for an overly defensive approach as Luciano Vietto’s late equaliser handed Atletico Madrid a 1-1 draw in Spain’s capital football derby on Sunday.

The Argentinian’s strike was just the second goal Real have conceded in nine games under Benitez.

“It’s true I’m fed up of being taken off”, he told AS. “Thank you to all of my teammates for serving to me attain these figures and break the record on the biggest membership on the planet – it’s an honour”, Ronaldo stated after the recreation of his feat. “He took me off to get a result, for defensive reasons”, exclaimed the visibly distraught 27-year-old.

And the man who masterminded Atletico’s unbelievable title triumph in 2013/14 hailed the competitive start to the season that sees Villarreal and Celta Vigo upsetting Madrid and Barcelona’s applecart.

Meanwhile, France coach Didier Deschamps has waded into the row ahead of this week’s worldwide break, insisting that Benzema won’t be substituted when France play this week as he’s a “team player”, saying: “I won’t substitute him“.

Spanish paper Marca were also less than impressed with Benitez following Real’s draw at the Vicente Calderon.

“Do you believe I told the team to sit that deeply? I think he has to retain the Ballon d’Or”. A team that creates chances, and is great in possession is not defensive.

In an interview with the sports talk-show, El Larguero, he said: “I’ve been made aware that there was a few criticism, but I’ve been focused on coaching”. There are less troubles than what I read. “What annoys me most is dropping two points”.