Real Madrid chief: Schedule has left players exhausted
Real Madrid sporting director Jorge Valdano today made the claim that being forced to play three matches in the space of six days has left his club’s players tired.
He added that, as a result, the performance of Jose Mourinho’s side suffered despite their 3-0 victory over Espanyol at the Bernebau last night.
The scoreline does not tell the entire story of the game as Madrid were lacklustre and failed to hit the heights that the star-studded team are capable of. They also allowed Espanyol to create several chances, but the visitors could not make the most of
them.
Despite Madrid’s questionable form, they have managed to rise to the top of the Primera Division standings after their victory. As a result, Valdano took the time to praise the players for their efforts during the match despite their apparent fatigue.
'Effort has taken our freshness away'
He told reporters that: “It’s a great victory, even though we have had phases of the game where it has been difficult, but the players have managed to overcome it. We have had three games in six days and that demand and effort has taken our freshness. In
the next game we will be in better condition.”
Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema — who came on as a substitute in the second half in place of Higuain — all struck their first league goals of the season and Valdano was pleased the forwards managed to find the back of the net.
He said that: “[Ronaldo’s] performance was very complete. He has featured in every dangerous play and has proved he has a great personality. Benzema is an interesting player who also needs to boost his confidence. He is a young boy that needed to adapt,
and he has much talent.”
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