"Benzema is not a penalty-spot striker, who lives in the area"

"We didn't start the first half very well, as has been the case on other occasions. We were caught on the break by Córdoba and Atlético in the cup. We have to improve how we start matches. After that we pressured high up the field and we were very good in the second half. We sorted ourselves out," said Carlo Ancelotti after his side's comfortable 4-1 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday.

Benzema: "He had a fantastic game, like the rest of the forwards. They are all very skilful and effective. We had a lot of shots on goal. The goal he scored was a quality one. He is a player with a wonderful shot on him. We also value how he plays overall and how much he helps the team. He is not a penalty-spot striker who lives in the area."

Bale: "I can't ask for more from him. He had a good game. It's true he missed a couple of chances to score but he gave Benzema the assist for 3-1. He works for his teammates."

Illarramendi: "He was average in the first 30 minutes and then he played a very good second half."

Lucas Silva: "I left him out because he's only been here a week and he needs to train to improve his physical condition and catch up to the level of the others. He'll be ready very soon."

Silva’s role in the team: “Lucas Silva has a good shot on him, he passes well, and he has always played in a double pivot formation [at Cruzeiro]. He can play instead of Kroos, of course, but he can also do what Illarramendi did today, playing on the outside partnering Kroos.”

4-4-2: “I don’t know if it was a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3. We tried to defend with two lines of four and attack with the pitch opened up more. In the first half not only with Bale, but with Marcelo, Isco and Benzema we got in a lot down the left. Bale was the player who had to get close to Benzema in the forward line.”

Marcelo: “I think he is growing with the team. After he recovered from his last injury he has been gaining rhythm and he’s doing very well.

James and Isco rotation: “It could be that we will rotate. Maybe I’ll change something. We need a fresh team with what we have coming up.”

from Últimas noticias | Diario AS http://ift.tt/15Vax6B

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