Madrid reaping benefits from new-found defensive strength

Andy West 10:32 27/01/2014
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  • Tight line: Pepe has played in all seven of Madrid's game wihout conceding.

    Despite their dazzling array of attacking talent, Real Madrid are impressing at the other end of the field after equalling their all-time club record with seven consecutive clean sheets in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Granada.

    Los Blancos haven’t conceded since their 3-2 victory at Valencia on December 22, completing four La Liga games and three Copa del Rey fixtures without their defence being breached.

    Delighted manager Carlo Ancelotti praised his central defensive pairing of Sergio Ramos and Pepe, but insisted the record is due to a collective improvement which has resulted from the team feeling comfortable in the 4-3-3 system introduced in November.

    “Sergio Ramos and Pepe have been perfect in 2014,” he said. “But everyone has worked hard to get this record. All the players are focused on recovering the ball.”

    With Xabi Alonso back from injury to provide stability in the centre of midfield and Luka Modric in fantastic form, Ancelotti admitted the team shape is crucial to their defensive success.

    “The most important thing is the balance that we have at the moment,” he said. “That is the key and I’ve said so many times.

    “We are defending well and attacking very well right now. There is always room to improve and we could play faster sometimes. But the key is the team’s balance.”

    With Los Blancos back in action tomorrow night for the second leg of their Copa del Rey tie against Espanyol – their eighth game in January – Ancelotti admitted concerns that they showed signs of fatigue during a flat first half performance against Granada.

    Real were sluggish, allowing Granada plenty of the ball in their own half before emerging in the second half fresher and more energetic.

    “The first half showed that the team are not in top physical condition,” he said. “To always play at a high intensity is not easy, but all the players are making a big sacrifice.”

    One player who lasted only 45 minutes on Saturday was Gareth Bale, who was substituted at the interval after receiving a nasty kick to the leg, but Ancelotti believes he should be available tomorrow.

    He added: “It’s not an injury, more of a nuisance. He will have no problem playing the next match.”

    Meanwhile, defender Ramos has slammed referee Jesus Gil after receiving another yellow card – his ninth of the season – and believes he has been unfairly targeted by officials due to his reputation.

    Ramos – who has 18 career red cards – was booked in the first half for a foul of Nyom.

    “It’ll be appealed and I think they’ll overturn it,” said the Spain international. “The referee has admitted I didn’t touch him. It’s easy to pull out the card and apparently with Sergio it’s a bit easier.”

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