Rafa Benitez's Style Reportedly 'Unbearable' for Cristiano Ronaldo, Madrid Squad

The murmurs of discontent have started at Real Madrid, with the players questioning new coach Rafael Benitez's training methods, according to a report from Spain.

Spanish outlet El Confidencial (h/t Sport) said "numerous complaints" have been made by individuals at Los Blancos, and "the players' discontent with Benitez's methods is tangible."

According to El Confidencial's sources, phrases such as "this seems like a barracks" and "the work has become an unbearable ball-ache" have been used, with a final damning swipe at the manager, saying, "the tactics of Benitez are killing us."

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The source also said one of the "biggest problems" is the mercurial Cristiano Ronaldo, who is said to be disinterested in Benitez's preference for defensive tactics.

The rumours will displease president Florentino Perez, as Real try to rebuild after a disappointing campaign last term.

Popular Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti lost his job as a result, despite scoring 118 goals in La Liga, per Squawka.com, and not losing a match from the end of March in the league—but it was not deemed good enough, prompting Benitez's hiring. 

Benitez has always been know for his attention to detail and conservative tactics; his greatest success at Liverpool came with a side that worked hard in defence and relied on Steven Gerrard to get the team into the attacking third. 

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At Madrid, Benitez has a host of superstars, and the focus of the team has always been to attack. The club's philosophy is not one that matches the new manager, and it is unsurprising to hear rumours of player discontent. 

Real were at their best just over 12 months ago after the success of their La Decima Champions League triumph. Los Blancos flowed with beauty and style as they swept to the biggest club prize in Europe, but Benitez will now want a different kind of application from his squad.

The Spaniard was defiant in a recent press conference, defending his record since he took over from Ancelotti, per the Champions League's official Twitter account:

Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague told Sky Sports why he thinks the manager has been able to steady the ship at the Bernabeu: "Instead of having just one holding midfielder, he uses two because the front three do not defend. He makes sure he has at least six at the back and the full backs do not go forward as often. That means they are very safe at the back."

Balague's assessments are correct, but this leads to a Madrid side who do not inspire or leave opponents in awe. After last year's surrender to Barcelona in terms of trophies, Perez would have been looking for a different way of toppling the Blaugrana, but overtly defensive football cant have been in his thoughts.

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However, any team that hires Benitez knows what they are getting: A coach who has a solid record for winning titles and knows how to stop an opponent.

Benitez has a history with Real, and his return to the Spanish capital was not entirely a shock, but to dismiss Ancelotti in favour of the new coach does appear counterproductive in the long term.

The likes of Ronaldo and his colleagues will only be able to conform to the new coach's tactics for a certain amount of time before anarchy reigns supreme on the pitch at the Bernabeu. 

Madrid do not have the players to sustain Benitez's philosophy, so Perez will have to get the chequebook out to support his coach if he wants instant success.