Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti praised the hard work of his midfielder Isco, after the attack-minded starlet played a more defensive role in Saturday's 4-0 La Liga win at Eibar, while denying he had an ulterior motive for leaving World Cup winner Sami Khedira on the bench.
Even with Luka Modric injured, Ancelotti decided not to start fit-again Germany international Khedira. Instead, he packed his team with even more attacking superstars and was rewarded with a complete performance as the La Liga leaders controlled the game from start to finish.
James Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo (two -- one a penalty) and Karim Benzema were the goalscorers, but the focus at Ancelotti's post-match news conference was on his decision to start Isco and not Khedira in Modric's usual all-round midfield role.
"[Isco] played very well," the Blancos coach said. "He played a consistent game, with good defensive positioning and as always good quality on the attacking side. He showed he can play in that position."
Even when withdrawing goalscorers James and Ronaldo, Ancelotti chose to send on back-up full-backs Fabio Coentrao and Alvaro Arbeloa. But he denied this was a snub to Khedira -- who is out of contract next summer and reported to have already agreed a free transfer to Bayern Munich.
"[Khedira] has no fitness issues, but he has come from playing two games with his national team after an injury," Ancelotti said. "I preferred to play Isco, who had recovered well after his two games."
The result was Madrid's 14th consecutive win in all competitions, but Ancelotti said he knew the run must end sometime.
"A defeat will arrive, that is for sure," he said. "Our objective is to keep this run going. The team is playing well and all the players are motivated and doing fantastic work. The season is very long, and we must keep going with this attitude. The whole game was good. We played well, with a lot of concentration. I value when people do their work well, and everyone shows their quality."
Eibar -- hosting the mighty Madrid for the first time ever in La Liga -- had contributed to what was a decent game and nice occasion, the former Milan, Juventus, Chelsea and Paris Saint Germain coach said.
"They played their game," Ancelotti said. "They are a team who battle and are well organised in defence. It was a party for the town, and we are happy about that. We had a lot of fans against us, but that is good for the respect they have. The supporters were very motivated."