- Title: SOCCER-SPAIN/REAL MADRID Benitez rules out signing another striker for Real
- Date: 22nd August 2015
- Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (AUGUST 22, 2015) (REUTERS) REAL MADRID PLAYERS ON TRAINING PITCH PLAYERS WARMING UP REAL MADRID COACH RAFAEL BENITEZ TALKING TO HIS ASSISTANTS FORWARD CRISTIANO RONALDO WITH HIS TEAMMATES AT SESSION GOALKEEPER KEYLOR NAVAS TRAINING BENITEZ AT SESSION / PLAYERS TRAINING PLAYERS TRAINING MIDFIELDER GARETH BALE TRAINING DEFENDER PEPE AT SESSION DEFENDER DANILO
- Embargoed: 6th September 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Spain
- Country: Spain
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVACC45ORYWE1XEWX1YKMTQMFZX9
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Real Madrid are not planning to bring in another striker before the transfer window closes at the end of the month and have full confidence in France forward Karim Benzema, coach Rafa Benitez said on Saturday (August 22).
Real begin their latest La Liga campaign on Sunday at promoted Sporting Gijon, although Benzema is still recovering from injury and will miss the clash.
Benitez, who took over from the sacked Carlo Ancelotti at the end of last season, has set the Frenchman a target of 25 goals for the season, something he has not achieved since 2011-12 when he netted 31.
The 27-year-old, who joined from Olympique Lyon in 2009, only managed 14 last term partly due to injury and has regularly been targeted for abuse from some disgruntled Real fans.
Real have plenty of cover for Benzema, including Portugal forward and top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, Jese and B team teenager Borja Mayoral, Benitez told a news conference.
"I have said many times that I am convinced Benzema is a great forward," added the former Valencia, Liverpool, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Napoli coach.
"That's why I set him a target of 25 goals to motivate him and so he can express himself.
"So we have a lot of attacking options and that's why right now we are not looking for a striker."
Ancelotti was discarded after Real failed to win the Champions League, La Liga or the King's Cup last term, with Benitez returning to the club where he was both a player and coach in the youth academy.
Real have brought in a number of new players in the close season, including Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic, Brazil fullback Danilo and goalkeeper Kiko Casilla.
Spain keeper David De Gea is widely expected to join from Manchester United but Benitez declined to confirm whether a deal would happen.
Benitez said that obviously Real Madrid's goal was always to win and that he had a team capable of matching Barcelona's three titles obtained last season.
"We can do the same, we can win titles because it's Real Madrid so it's an amazing team, very good players, so we can do it," he said. "Obviously, when we talk about points in the league, it's not the same as before. You have to win almost every game, you cannot make too many mistakes, but we have confidence that we can do it. Working hard every day will be the key."
Benitez also said striker Gareth Bale was a good member of the side.
"Bale is a fast player, he shoots well, he has physical power that the other players don't have because they have other characteristics - more control, more passing. But together their qualities allow us to be more unpredictable and create more problems for our rivals.
If Bale ends up like the other day providing a cross so that Ronaldo gets a hat trick, that means he is not a player with a fixed position and the same happens with Cristiano, Jese and Isco and James. They have freedom and have to express their talent on the pitch and to work so that the team plays properly."
"I think it's positive in every aspect and we have to deal like we do in every game, trying to win, getting three points, and, like I said before, playing well, if possible," Benitez said of the visit to the Molinon on Sunday (kick off 1830gmt).
Defending champions Barcelona visit Athletic Bilbao earlier on Sunday. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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