Real Madrid head coach Rafael Benitez hails Cristiano Ronaldo
Wednesday 30 December 2015 20:16, UK
Real Madrid head coach Rafael Benitez was full of praise for Cristiano Ronaldo, who showed immense leadership by scoring a brace after missing a penalty in a 3-1 win over Real Sociedad.
The Portuguese star missed the target from 12 yards - rather than failing to score due to a goalkeeper's save - for the first time in his Madrid career as he skied his effort over the crossbar early on in the game.
But he soon made amends when Los Blancos were awarded a second spot-kick just before the break.
Just as visitors Sociedad had Madrid on the ropes following Bruma's fabulous equaliser four minutes after the break, Ronaldo struck his 25th goal of the season when he volleyed home from a corner.
Substitute Lucas Vasquez put the icing on the cake with a superb third on the counter-attack to earn three points which sent them top of the table ahead of Barcelona's clash against Real Betis.
"I have congratulated him and the whole team because they were united in a situation that demanded they show character and personality," said Benitez.
"That is why I am praising Cristiano again because, despite missing the penalty, he assumed the responsibility again and put the team on his back to get the go-ahead goal."
There was little sign of reconcilement between the home faithful and the under pressure Benitez as he was whistled before kick-off, whilst his decisions to substitute James Rodriguez and Karim Benzema were met with derision in the second-half.
Benitez admitted he wasn't looking any further than Sunday's tricky trip to his former club Valencia where he will go up against Gary Neville.
"I concentrate on the next game. Until now that was Real [Sociedad] and the next will be Valencia," he added.
"I try to be prepared and do as well as I can."
Real Sociedad coach Eusebio Sacristan was left lamenting the decisions of referee Jose Luis Gonzalez Gonzalez, who turned down a penalty appeal by La Real forward Jonathas de Jesus before blowing for two questionable penalties for the hosts.
"The game threw up circumstances which did not go in our favour," the coach told a press conference.
"I don't know if that's down to coincidence or bad luck, but it has happened before with this referee and it's a real shame."
