Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka has applauded the character shown by his Madrid team in the derby and was full of praise for their winning performance.
The Spanish champions had to produce a great performance in order to beat a high flying Atletico Madrid side in an eagerly awaited and highly anticipated derby.
Diego Simeone’s side had gone on to make a memorable start to the season as they found themselves in 2nd place in the Liga table.
It was the first time in this millennium that Los Rojiblancos went into the Bernabeu derby, ahead on points with the holding champions.
The last time such a scenario pre-existed the match, it was in 1999, and the then Atletico side managed to emerge victorious from Bernabeu at the expense of Los Blancos.
Karanka was happy with the show that his side put up as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ronaldo-c31734’s mesmerizing free kick in the first half and Mesut Ozil’s second half strike helped the home side bag all three points.
"We believed it would be a tough game in the sense that Atletico came here with a lot of confidence," he said.
"Everybody assumed that this would be the year (that Atletico would win the derby), but we showed personality.”
Karanka was full of praise for their Portuguese sensation as Ronaldo scored a beauty and set up Mesut Ozil’s goal with a delightful pass.
"Cristiano has again scored a goal, got one assist and hit two shots against the crossbar. He is being his usual self," said Karanka.
The match started in controversial fashion as Jose Mourinho gave the home support a chance to boo him as they had done towards him in the Real Betis match.
"I think the stronger always win. Real Madrid already have strong character, and even more against a city rival that comes here in good form, so this has been a positive match.”
Karanka insisted that he had not seen the incident and maintained that the Real boss wasn’t being confrontational towards the home faithful.
Real are now 5 points behind their city rivals Atletico and will try to continue their winning run, as a defeat now will most certainly end their title aspirations.
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