Real Madrid Training

The coach dedicated almost 40 minutes to practicing exercises with his defenders. He started with Danilo, Varane, Ramos, and Arbeloa. He put them against seven attackers and explained each of the movements he wants from them.

He showed them when to approach the forward and when to retreat to regain their position. The ideal moment to hold the line or when to close in. He also worked on defending the wing superiority (when the opposing full-back doubles up on the winger). In short, he wanted the defenders to mechanize a series of movements to move together in a compact manner. He didn't allow more than three meters between the members of the defense and wanted them to shift from one side to the other simultaneously.

After finishing with the first four defenders, he continued with Carvajal, Pepe, Nacho, and Marcelo. The same process. Synchronized movements between the four of them in different offensive situations. Benitez doesn't want any loose ends in his defense, and during these first two weeks in Melbourne, he is working on this aspect thoroughly with his 'Benitinas.'