Rafael Benitez is coming under fire amid criticisms Real Madrid were too defensive in Sunday’s derby draw with Atletico Madrid.
Los Blancos took an early lead through Karim Benzema but then lost the initiative as Atletico fought back to claim a point through Luciano Vietto’s leveller.
Fans and media have expressed frustration at Benitez’s reluctance to push for a second goal, and goalscorer Benzema, without directly saying so, hinted that he shared that dissatisfaction.
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The French striker netted an early header for his sixth goal of the season, becoming La Liga’s leading scorer in the process, but he then endured a quiet evening as the team’s safety-first approach starved the forward line of service.
Benzema was clearly unhappy to be substituted for Mateo Kovacic in the final stages – the fifth time in six league outings he has been hauled off – and he shrugged: “It’s up to the manager. I am there to help my team-mates.
“I will continue to work hard so that he doesn’t replace me. He took me off because of the scoreline, to make us more defensive.
“It’s difficult when the opposition stays back. In the second half we were all behind the ball too.”
However, one of Benitez’s decisions that has gained widespread acceptance was the selection of Casemiro in the centre of midfield.
The 23-year-old Brazilian first moved to Europe two years ago when he joined Los Blancos from Sao Paulo, but he initially struggled to break into the team and was allowed to join Porto.
After an excellent season in Portugal, however, he returned to the Bernabeu this summer and the trust he has rapidly gained from his manager was evident when he was named in the starting eleven as Benitez switched to a 4-3-3 formation.
Casemiro’s powerful performance helped his team establish control over possession, and Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos were the only Real players to have more touches of the ball.
Afterwards Benitez reaffirmed his faith in his summer signing and dismissed suggestions that Casemiro’s selection was a surprise, pointing out: “He has already played in other games. When there are aerial battles he helps us, and he knows what to do with the ball. He is a very valuable player and capable of performing in any game.”
The hosts nearly had all three as they finished strongly and Jackson Martinez demanded a superb save from Keylor Navas.
And manager Diego Simeone feels his team’s finish deserved victory, even though Navas’s penalty save from Antoine Griezmann was their only shot on target before Vietto pounced.
“The feeling is that we lost two points,” said Simeone. “We had more chances than Real, especially with the penalty.”
