Below-par Real keep the winning habit
They may not be playing their usual sparkling football but Real Madrid have proved recently that they have the knack of winning when not at their best.
They may not be playing their usual sparkling football but Real Madrid have proved recently that they have the knack of winning when not at their best.
Real turned in a below-par performance against Partizan Belgrade in the Champions League at the Bernabeu on Wednesday but still came away with a comfortable 1-0 victory.
Despite dominating for long periods Real were never able to put away an unadventurous Partizan side and the Spanish champions had to settle for a solitary Raul goal just before halftime to secure a 1-0 win.
"We can't go out and score four goals every game," said midfielder David Beckham. "It wasn't our best performance but the important thing is that we've got three more points."
Captain Raul echoed Beckham's sentiments.
"We didn't play that well," he said. "But when you play 60 games a season it is difficult to perform at the same level all the time.."
"We've got some difficult games ahead of us but we have taken an important step towards qualifying for the next stage."
Wednesday's victory left Real top of group F with a maximum nine points from three matches and along with last year's runners-up Juventus they are the only teams in the competition with 100 per cent records.
On the domestic front Real have also failed to shine but have still managed six points from their last two games following victories over bottom club Espanyol and Celta Vigo.
With the hard-working Beckham patrolling the centre of midfield alongside Ivan Helguera and Raul Bravo adjusting to his new role in the middle of the back four Real are now looking more solid in defence.
The clean sheet against Partizan was in fact only the second time in 17 Champions League games that Real have prevented their opponents from scoring.
Coach Carlos Queiroz says he is more than happy with the side's solidity against Partizan.
"Our objective was to win the game and make sure we achieved a comfortable position in the group and we did just that," he said.
"I'm going to remember the victory, the three points and the chances we made -- that's enough for me."