Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti praised his side's ability to cope with pressure but then go on to control the game after Saturday's 2-0 La Liga win at Villarreal.
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In a game featuring a helter-skelter first hour, Villarreal had 19 shots to Madrid's 11, but clinical finishes from Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo -- who was not distracted by a banner urging him to return to Manchester United being flown over the stadium during the first half -- gave the visitors the points.
Ancelotti told his post-match news conference at El Madrigal that he was pleased with the attitude his players had shown.
"The best thing is that we won a difficult game against a team who played well, but we controlled the game," he said. "We suffered when we had to suffer and we played when we had to play. It was a good game. We had a good attitude and we deserved to win."
Karim Benzema provided a superb assist for Ronaldo's goal, controlling a long ball over the top from James Rodriguez and timing his pass perfectly for the La Liga top scorer to hit his 10th league goal of the season.
#INSERT type:image caption:A banner calling on Ronaldo to return to Manchester United was flown over the stadioum during the game. END#
Ancelotti said that goal, just before half-time, had been vital and praised Benzema, who had been criticised by some Madrid fans and pundits after a spell of poor form.
"The key to the game was the second goal and Karim had an important afternoon, passing the ball to Cristiano," the coach said. "His work is deserving of a lot of credit, even though he did not score. Sometimes it is better to pass than to score."
Club captain Iker Casillas was the Madrid lineup after Keylor Navas had played in goal in midweek, and played his part in Madrid's first clean sheet since the opening day of the season.
"[Casillas] played a very good game, like they all did," Ancelotti said. "We kept a second clean sheet of the season, and that is good."
Madrid's extra control of proceedings late on had been helped by sending on substitute Asier Illarramendi in place of James, Ancelotti said, explaining: "We put him in to avoid risks. He helped us to finish off the game."