Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez: I do not park the bus
Posted Wednesday, October 07, 2015 by ESPN
ESPNFC's Alejandro Moreno says Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez's tactics may not be suited to the Bernabeu.
Rafa Benitez has insisted he is not a "bus-parker" following criticism of his tactics in the wake of the side's third La Liga draw of the season.
Former Napoli boss Benitez was accused of being overly cautious after his team's 1-1 draw with rivals Atletico on Sunday.
But the Spaniard has pointed to the 15 goals Real have scored so far this campaign, the joint-highest in the division with Celta Vigo, as evidence that he is willing to attack.
Asked if he is a defensive coach, Marca quotes Benitez as saying: "Not at all. They said I was too attack-minded in Italy. Here I've been labelled as defensive, a 'bus-parker,' yet we've created more chances and scored more goals than any other team."
Benitez also commented on the 77th-minute substitution of Karim Benzema against Atletico, with the striker seemingly upset at the decision.
He said: "I needed to give the team some balance at that point in the game. I'm a huge fan of Benzema. If I were Karim, I'd also be angry at being taken off when I thought I was playing well and was on a great run of form.
"What I'd do if I were Karim is score more goals so that next time I don't have to be taken off and can say, 'hey, here I am.'"
Benitez went on to insist that he would drop Cristiano Ronaldo should the striker suffer from a drop in form, despite his star status in the side.
He added: "Cristiano is undeniably first-choice. The advantage he has over the rest is his ability to bang in 50-plus goals a season.
"Having Cristiano always out on the pitch guarantees us the chance of nicking a goal or more. Therefore, I try to keep him out there for as long as I can. Would I hesitate to bench him? No, not for a second."
Benitez also commented on the 77th-minute substitution of Karim Benzema against Atletico, with the striker seemingly upset at the decision.
He said: "I needed to give the team some balance at that point in the game. I'm a huge fan of Benzema. If I were Karim, I'd also be angry at being taken off when I thought I was playing well and was on a great run of form.
"What I'd do if I were Karim is score more goals so that next time I don't have to be taken off and can say, 'hey, here I am.'"
Benitez went on to insist that he would drop Cristiano Ronaldo should the striker suffer from a drop in form, despite his star status in the side.
He added: "Cristiano is undeniably first-choice. The advantage he has over the rest is his ability to bang in 50-plus goals a season.
"Having Cristiano always out on the pitch guarantees us the chance of nicking a goal or more. Therefore, I try to keep him out there for as long as I can. Would I hesitate to bench him? No, not for a second."
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