Karanka pleased mistakes were addressed
Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka stated that his side were committing too many mistakes in the first half in the win 5-2 over Real Mallorca.
By FOX Sports Staff
Madrid had to twice come back from behind as Emilio Nsue and Alejandro Alfaro scored goals for their side in the first half.
Giovanni dos Santos was responsible for both goals as the Mexican sent in a good cross for Nsue to head in the first after just six minutes while a corner by the midfielder was put in by Alfaro a short while later.
The home side only saw Gonzalo Higuain pull one back and needed half-time changes to get back into the game.
They emerged a different side following the restart and scored four goals through Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, Higuain and Karim Benzema to complete a comprehensive win at the Santiago Bernabeu.
"In the first half we made lots of mistakes, not just the goals but also in passes and a lack of concentration on the whole," commented Karanka after the game.
"We spoke during the break and changed the team's tactics. Pepe went back to his normal position, we put Sergio [Ramos] on the wing to attack deeper and [deployed] three midfielders like Modric, Özil and Kaká to maintain possession."
The coach was also pleased with Higuain's brace and stated that the coaching department never lost faith in the Argentine. The striker had failed to score against Celta Vigo despite a glut of chances in the team's previous fixture.
"We don't need to worry about the chances that are missed [by Higuain], the important thing is to create them in the first place," Karanka continued.
"The other day in Vigo we said it. He was off target in front of goal and today [Sunday] he has scored. Today he has scored and that is important for him. The best thing is that he gets the confidence in front of goal that strikers need."
And he insisted that Real are confident of finishing in second place and would be content with such a goal. The defending champions are now ten points behind league leaders Barcelona with the Catalans in action later on Sunday against Rayo Vallecano.
"The message that we give is the same as everyone, that we have to fight for second position, we can't come below second.
"[Finishing] above second is complicated and below, we don't want to make things difficult for ourselves and we have to ensure second place."