Rafael Benítez, Real Madrid head coach, analysed the win over Real Sociedad in the press room of the Santiago Bernabéu. The manager praised the work of his players and also had words of encouragement for Canales: "Madrid were in control of the game apart from a 10 minute spell. We had a lot of chances that if we'd have taken would have made the second half more comfortable. I've got to congratulate the players for their attitude from the beginning to the end. They worked hard and reacted well. We won the game and can continue to look ahead. Our objective was to do as well as possible and we did that".

"I congratualted Cristiano and the whole team. They've all played together at a time when it was important to show character and personality. Cristiano, despite missing a penalty, took the responsibility and led the team forward. The hard work and the reaction were both good and we have to continue along the same path".

Possession

"It's the story of the last 30 years. Possession, creating chances, direct football. We're a team that has possession, but we also have speed and play direct. It's importnant to mix it up. Today we could have put the game to bed in the first half but we weren't able to. I'm happy with the reaction of the team. We scored 3 goals and it could have been more".

"In the first half we had more possession, in the second a bit less. All the team that come here raise their game. They got their goal but we were able to react. I saw character, personality and a team that knew how to react".

Kovacic

"My job is to get the most out of all the players that we have on the bench. They've all done well and added some freshness that has helped us".

Continuity

"No, I concentrate on the next match and this was against Real Sociedad and the next one is Valencia. The important thing is to be prepared to do the job as well as possible"

"In general terms we try to keep the team together and make the most of our forward players. The spaces created allow us to move the ball and in the defensive phase we have to regroup. A lot of these players have an attacking mentality which makes it more complicated. That’s why this team scores a lot of goal and finds it harder to defend".

2016

2When we win we're always happy. What I want is that the team continues to win games and that the fans enjoy the victories, playing well and winning a title. We'll weigh everything up at the end. We're on the right path because the team reacted well and it will continue to get better".

Lucas

"Everyone out on the field has worked hard. He is fast and energetic and he's taken his goal well. It's what we ask of the players coming on".

Campaign

“Everyone has an opinion. I've got mine and you'll have yours. There are a lot of journalist and I don’t doubt the objective of the majority of you. Others have their own ideas and I’ve got mine. Theirs are not in line with Real Madrid's, nor mine. Everyone is entitled to their opinion".

Playing system

"This team started with a 4-2-3-1 and they said that they needed to play with 3 up front. When we did this and it went well, it was confirmation that we have to play this way. Later, when it went badly, it was no longer any good, it had to be changed to a 4-4-2. The most important thing is that the team is focused, it works as hard as possible and they give everything. With the desire and attitude we showed today, we will win a lot of games".