Knives out for Benitez after Atletico draw

Rafa Benitez has come in for some criticism in the press after his Real Madrid side succumbed to a late goal to draw 1-1 with Atletico Madrid on Sunday. 

The Spanish coach has been criticised for being too conservative after taking the lead at the Vicente Calderon and for leaving Gareth Bale on the bench. 

On Cadena Copa, Paco Gonzalez was damning: “If Rafa Benitez has come to [play like this], it is better that he leaves.”

Manu Carreño added: “Benitez’s Madrid bores the players, the fans… and even the sheep.” 

In Marca, Emilio Contreras underlined the fact that Madrid somehow contrived to “almost lose a match they had already won.”

Director of AS, Alfredo Relaño, complained that Madrid didn’t do enough when they were in charge of the game and then got scared when Atletico Madrid took control. 

Castelao agreed in El Mundo: “Atletico Madrid punished Real Madrid’s fear.”