Real critics away off mark, says Celades

Real Madrid midfielder Albert Celades has hit back at criticism of his team's away form after they failed to win on their travels for the fifth time this season against Alaves on Saturday.

Following the dull 0-0 draw, he said: "We are not afraid to win or lose and do not feel that a draw was unjust."

Having lost away to Real Betis and Las Palmas already this campaign, Celades went on to claim that a point against last season's Uefa Cup finalists was a good result.

"A draw was fair against Alaves so we are not complaining," he said. "But we know that sooner or later we will win away from home and all this will be forgotten.

"It is not a normal situation for Madrid but we are more concerned about the points that we have dropped at the Bernabeu than the fact that we have yet to win away.

"The situation would be more worrying if it was near the end of the season, but there is plenty of time to put things right here."

Real coach Vicente Del Bosque was in similarly reflective mood after the game. He said: "It was a quiet game that was dominated by the defences of both teams.

"The game was fought out in the middle of the field and there was no real pattern to either side's play.

"With only eight games played in the league it is very difficult to say that we have been left behind or that anybody has a grip on the top. To speak in these terms is exaggerated."