Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti hails players after record breaking win

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti deflected the attention
onto his players after goals from Karim Benzema and Gareth
Bale brought a 2-1 win at Malaga -- and a club record 16th
consecutive victory in all competitions.
The hard-fought win sent Madrid (for the moment at least)
five points clear at the head of the Primera Division, and
also saw Ancelotti's side pass the mark previously set by
former coaches Miguel Munoz [1960-61] and Jose Mourinho
[2011-12].
The Blancos coach told his post-match news conference that
while he was happy his name would go into the record books,
the real credit for the achievement should go to the players.
"I am very happy, it feels like a dream come true," Ancelotti
said. "They will give me the credit for this, but the reality is
I have the good fortune to have a fantastic group of players. I
have a deep admiration for these players who are working
very well."
Ancelotti said that his talented attack-minded players had all
made sacrifices and worked hard so that the team could
become so tough to beat.
"It is about the attitude that the players have," he said. "The
attitude to work defensively from players like Isco, [Toni]
Kroos, James or Bale surprises me a little. But for sure the
team is very compact and the players are making sacrifices.
To play here is never easy, Malaga were on a good run at
home before this game."
Cristiano Ronaldo was unable to add to his 20 La Liga goals
this season at La Rosaleda, with home keeper Carlos Kameni
twice denying him from point-blank range, but the Portugal
captain did provide both goals for Benzema and Bale with
neat assists.
"Cristiano put in fantastic work," Ancelotti said. "It is a bit
strange for us as we are so used to seeing him score goals, but
his assists were key for this win.
The Italian coach then denied that Friday's club statement
criticising UEFA president Michel Platini for suggesting a
German World Cup winner not Ronaldo should take the 2014
Ballon D'Or award was not about ensuring the superstar
was happy at Madrid.
"Ronaldo does not need that, but the club needed to clarify its
position," Ancelotti said.
The night was bittersweet for former Malaga starlet Isco,
who was sent off late on after picking up a second yellow card,
with Ancelotti suggesting Madrid would appeal the decision to
avoid a ban.
"I think Isco will get the red card rescinded," he said. "He
clearly touches the ball. I was not surprised he was applauded
as he left the pitch. At this moment everybody loves him."
It was too early yet to say if Benzema would miss any game
with an apparent knee problem which saw him leave the action
early, Ancelotti said.
"Benzema took a bang to his leg and was feeling it," he added.
"That is why we changed him."