Real boss Benitez remains defiant despite costly loss to Villarreal
Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez insists all is not lost in the La Liga title race despite a costly 1-0 defeat at Villarreal on Sunday evening.
Roberto Soldado's ninth-minute goal proved enough to secure Villarreal's victory on an evening when Benitez's team disappointed in front of goal despite an improved showing in the second half.
It was Real's third league loss of the season and leaves them third, five points adrift of joint leaders Barcelona and city rivals Atletico.
"It's a league season in which teams are going to drop points," Benitez told Real's official website. "All the teams at the top are going to drop points.
"To challenge for the title you have to win a lot of games and these types of matches, with the favorable situation that existed before kick-off, are there for us to really lay down our title intentions.
"It's difficult to explain, but these things sometimes happen. I'm not happy at all with the first half. In the first half we didn't play well. I expected the team to play the way it did in the second.
"In the second half we didn't take our chances, but we did what we should have done from the start.
"The reaction the team produced in the second half is the way forward and the one positive I can come away with, but we reacted late and it has cost us three points."
It took until early in the second half for Real to truly threaten, with Karim Benzema missing a couple of chances while James Rodriguez came close late on.
Villarreal head coach Marcelinho was delighted with the result and told the club's official website: "We feel good after this win.
"In the first half we played very well. When we had the ball we threatened Real Madrid and there is no doubt that the goal gives you a greater confidence.
"In the second half we went through difficulties. There was a spell for each team but we played an extraordinary game and I want to thank my players."
