Real Madrid defender Pepe has refused to blame a lengthy injury list for the draw with Sporting Gijon.
Real defender not dwelling on absentees
Real Madrid defender Pepe has refused to blame the club's lengthy injury list for Saturday's goalless draw with Sporting Gijon.
Attacking quartet Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Gonzalo Higuain and Ruud van Nistelrooy were all sidelined for the away game and without them Real failed to find the net for the first time this season.
However, Real boss Manuel Pellegrini still had plenty of top-class options available to him and Pepe does not want to dwell on the absentees.
"Every player in the squad is capable of playing for Real Madrid," said the Portugal international.
"There's no need to talk about the absences, we need to talk about those of us who are here.
"We worked hard, we all fought for the victory, but we lacked precision in front of goal.
"Our objective was to win and pick up the three points, but we've taken a point from a very tough place to play at. Sporting are a very well-organised team."
Madrid's injury problems are not limited to their strike-force either, with Pepe, Ezequiel Garay and Xabi Alonso all finishing the game with problems.
"We've played eight games in a month, without forgetting international commitments," said Pepe.
"Xabi Alonso has a lot of games under his belt, including for his country, and Garay felt extremely tired because it was a tough pitch."
