A Tough One
Real Madrid were under the cosh for large parts of the game, and distinctly second best in the first half, but managed to do what they do best these days - show resolve, hang in there, and hit back through some clinical attacking.
It was once again Van Nistelrooy who did the business with a brace, first from the spot, and then with a typically 'Ruud' finish.
Schuster was very happy with his team’s victory, although he admitted that luck was on their side, and that was much of the reason why they picked up the three points.
But then again, you make your own luck, and Madrid did by hanging in there.
“We knew that it wouldn’t be easy, Levante made things difficult for us," he said.
"Things got more complicated for us as the match went on, and we were unable to go ahead. However, we managed to stay in it, and also got lucky."
Mentally Prepared
According to the German coach the most complicated part about getting his troops ready for the match was to get “the players prepared mentally, as it is difficult to do when the rivals are, initially, inferior.”
Real Madrid have yet to find their top form after the Christmas break, but Schuster defended his side by joking: “It has also been difficult for me to lose the kilos I have gained.”
Praise For His Former Club
The German also congratulated the good work of the players of Levante, a club he coached in the 2004/05 season.
“We have to congratulate the players of Levante, because given the situation they are in, it is not normal for them to fight in the way they did.
“During the break we spoke about the fact that we were lacking the final pass. We couldn’t finish things off like we would have liked to, and that in part is because of the good defensive work of Levante.
“You have to believe in miracles, in the same way as Real Madrid did last season when they won the league; we are involved in a very even competition
“Levante have to begin to win matches no matter what, it would have been nice for them to beat the league leaders, it would have been like a good impulse. I don’t think Levante are as inferior as their position on the table suggests.”
Real Madrid were under the cosh for large parts of the game, and distinctly second best in the first half, but managed to do what they do best these days - show resolve, hang in there, and hit back through some clinical attacking.
It was once again Van Nistelrooy who did the business with a brace, first from the spot, and then with a typically 'Ruud' finish.
Schuster was very happy with his team’s victory, although he admitted that luck was on their side, and that was much of the reason why they picked up the three points.
But then again, you make your own luck, and Madrid did by hanging in there.
“We knew that it wouldn’t be easy, Levante made things difficult for us," he said.
"Things got more complicated for us as the match went on, and we were unable to go ahead. However, we managed to stay in it, and also got lucky."
Mentally Prepared
According to the German coach the most complicated part about getting his troops ready for the match was to get “the players prepared mentally, as it is difficult to do when the rivals are, initially, inferior.”
Real Madrid have yet to find their top form after the Christmas break, but Schuster defended his side by joking: “It has also been difficult for me to lose the kilos I have gained.”
Praise For His Former Club
The German also congratulated the good work of the players of Levante, a club he coached in the 2004/05 season.
“We have to congratulate the players of Levante, because given the situation they are in, it is not normal for them to fight in the way they did.
“During the break we spoke about the fact that we were lacking the final pass. We couldn’t finish things off like we would have liked to, and that in part is because of the good defensive work of Levante.
“You have to believe in miracles, in the same way as Real Madrid did last season when they won the league; we are involved in a very even competition
“Levante have to begin to win matches no matter what, it would have been nice for them to beat the league leaders, it would have been like a good impulse. I don’t think Levante are as inferior as their position on the table suggests.”
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