Under-fire Benitez MUST get time to fix Madrid

Under-fire Benitez MUST get time to fix Madrid
Benitez was handed a vote of confidence by Real Madrid's president on Monday and he must be given the chance to prove himself in the Champions League this season
Rafa Benitez raises his arms aloft to salute the fans. It's May 28, 2016 and Real Madrid have just claimed La Undecima at San Siro in Milan. For the Spanish coach, it represents a remarkable triumph and one that seemed highly improbable after Los Blancos were humiliated by Barcelona back in November.

The above scenario seems not only unlikely but extremely far-fetched at this point in time. Reeling from the 4-0 loss at home to their fierce rivals on Saturday, Madrid are in turmoil and after president Florentino Perez absolved himself from all blame in a press briefing on Monday, Benitez is walking a tightrope.

But Perez promised his coach time and now he must stick to that pledge. Not that he has many alternatives at the moment, but the club chief told the Madrid media he was confident Benitez could turn around the team's flagging fortunes after the disastrous defeat to the Blaugrana and so he should stick to his words.

"Rafa Benitez has our support and our confidence," the president said. "He has been here a short time and we are sure he will solve the problems. He needs time to work." How long he will be given is anyone's guess, but the 55-year-old now needs results to be positive if he is to make it through the coming weeks and months.

Asked about the Clasico calamity on Tuesday, Benitez said: "We have spoken to the players to analyse the mistakes. "Starting with me. The group has a lot of quality, a lot of professionalism and what we need to do is channel that in order to achieve our objectives."
Speaking ahead of the Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk, he added: "We're in November and all of our objectives remain within reach. We are going to try and achieve them."
Already six points adrift of Barca in La Liga and effectively seven behind because overturning the goal average in the second Clasico at Camp Nou will be virtually impossible, Madrid turn their attentions to the continental competition on Wednesday. And it could be Benitez's best - perhaps only - hope of salvation.

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