Real Madrid

Pepe: 'Players behind Rafael Benitez, Florentino Perez'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 30 November 2015

Real Madrid defender Pepe insists that the Los Blancos dressing room are fully supportive of both head coach Rafael Benitez and club president Florentino Perez.

Real Madrid defender Pepe has insisted that head coach Rafael Benitez and club president Florentino Perez have the full support of the Los Blancos dressing room.

Following the 4-0 defeat to Barcelona on November 21, there were calls from the Real Madrid supporters for Perez to stand down as president and for Benitez to be relieved of his managerial duties.

However, Pepe, who played the full 90 minutes as Real Madrid won 2-0 at Eibar on Sunday, has said that the team are "with the coach and the president".

"We didn't expect to have the game we had against Barcelona, but we're with the coach and the president," Pepe told reporters.

"We have to match the intensity of our opponents. We know we have a lot of quality in our locker, but that alone won't win games. The fans have asked us to play for the badge and that's what we'll do.

"The Clasico hurt us a lot, but we have pride and working hard is the only way we'll get out of this situation. We're working hard to get to where we want to be at the end of season."

Real Madrid currently trail La Liga leaders Barcelona by six points in the table, while Atletico Madrid sit two points above Los Blancos in second.