REAL Madrid coach Juande Ramos felt his side's 5-2 margin of victory over Athletic Bilbao was a fair reflection of the dominance they enjoyed on the park.
Madrid provisionally cut the gap to Primera Liga leaders Barcelona to just three points after a brace from Klaas Jan Huntelaar and further goals from Arjen Robben, Gabriel Heinze and Gonzalo Higuain sealed a hard-fought victory at San Mames.
At times it was far from easy for the reigning champions against a determined Athletic side, who battled hard throughout despite losing Fran Yeste to a red card in the 36th minute and even got back from 2-0 down to 2-2 at one stage, but Ramos believes his troops were full value for their result.
"The scoreline reflected pretty well what happened on the pitch," said Ramos.
"Real Madrid have shown their superiority, the team have conceded two goals in unfortunate ways, because one was an own goal and another a mistake from the defence.
"It was a pain because being level made everything harder, but the team have been able to react and take control, and that was important after a game so intense as last Tuesday against Liverpool."
Madrid needed a big performance at San Mames after being humiliated in their Champions League last-16 second leg against Liverpool, losing 4-0 at Anfield to tumble out of the competition 5-0 on aggregate.
Ramos was upset to see their European adventure come to an end, but he is keen to look forward and not back.
"Given the choice we would've preferred to continue in the Champions League, but if we look at the positive side it`s clear that from now on we are going to have seven days to prepare for each league game, which Barca won`t have," Ramos said.
"But having a break don`t not always help you recuperate, and it doesn't mean that we are going to start cutting back points immediately."
Ramos also dismissed any suggestion his side had been assisted at San Mames by the referee, who booked seven home players - compared to only four for Madrid - as well as sending off Yeste for pushing over visiting goalkeeper Iker Casillas, and showing a red card to unused Athletic substitute Ion Velez.
"Athletic-Real Madrid games are always heated on the pitch, with a lot if intensity. It`s been a hard-fought game but you need to understand that`s part of football," added Ramos.
"I don`t think the referee influenced the result. The penalty, for example, was pretty clear."
At times it was far from easy for the reigning champions against a determined Athletic side, who battled hard throughout despite losing Fran Yeste to a red card in the 36th minute and even got back from 2-0 down to 2-2 at one stage, but Ramos believes his troops were full value for their result.
"The scoreline reflected pretty well what happened on the pitch," said Ramos.
"Real Madrid have shown their superiority, the team have conceded two goals in unfortunate ways, because one was an own goal and another a mistake from the defence.
"It was a pain because being level made everything harder, but the team have been able to react and take control, and that was important after a game so intense as last Tuesday against Liverpool."
Madrid needed a big performance at San Mames after being humiliated in their Champions League last-16 second leg against Liverpool, losing 4-0 at Anfield to tumble out of the competition 5-0 on aggregate.
Ramos was upset to see their European adventure come to an end, but he is keen to look forward and not back.
"Given the choice we would've preferred to continue in the Champions League, but if we look at the positive side it`s clear that from now on we are going to have seven days to prepare for each league game, which Barca won`t have," Ramos said.
"But having a break don`t not always help you recuperate, and it doesn't mean that we are going to start cutting back points immediately."
Ramos also dismissed any suggestion his side had been assisted at San Mames by the referee, who booked seven home players - compared to only four for Madrid - as well as sending off Yeste for pushing over visiting goalkeeper Iker Casillas, and showing a red card to unused Athletic substitute Ion Velez.
"Athletic-Real Madrid games are always heated on the pitch, with a lot if intensity. It`s been a hard-fought game but you need to understand that`s part of football," added Ramos.
"I don`t think the referee influenced the result. The penalty, for example, was pretty clear."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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