Rafa Benitez Discusses Real Madrid's Clasico Reaction After Win Against Shakhtar

Under-pressure Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez was left engaging in a smart and desperate bit of spin after his side nearly blew a four-goal lead against Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

Leading 4-0 in Ukraine, Los Blancos shipped three late goals to the hosts. Although Madrid's blushes were just about spared, a result that confirmed top spot in Group A did little to quiet the questions about Benitez's future.

So he wisely played up the game as a worthy reaction to a recent 4-0 loss to bitter enemy Barcelona in El Clasico, according to ESPN's Dermot Corrigan:

Those working the press conference who looked closely enough may have even been able to see a spin doctor operating Benitez's strings as he extended an olive branch to a group of players reportedly at odds with their manager:

Seemingly content to ignore the late near-collapse, Benitez routinely steered the conversation back to his side's early four-goal salvo:

By recasting this game purely as a comeback from the disappointment against Barca, Benitez is trying to silence all talk of that humiliating day. He is selling progress on the heels of one of the worst nights in Madrid's history.

It's a difficult yet not impossible needle to thread.

After all, Los Merengues have made it through to the Champions League last 16 as group winners. The goals they conceded in Ukraine were the first they've leaked during the tournament.

But until fans see Madrid winning at a canter, Benitez is leaving himself open to criticism. He can do little about the supporters, but the Real chief is at least trying to get one unsettled group on his side.

Like most managers, Benitez isn't just using his presser to talk with the media. He's also communicating with his players.

Now's the time to do that amid reports star man Cristiano Ronaldo is unhappy. Recent rumours from Italy suggested Madrid's No. 7 has even given Real president Florentino Perez an ultimatum, demanding Benitez be removed (h/t Pete Jenson of the Independent).

Ronaldo played through the middle against Shakhtar, a positional switch he's not always welcomed. But the 30-year-old actually delivered in style for his beleaguered boss, as numbers from Squawka Football show:  

Benitez was keen to stress that no matter where his forwards line up, his tactics leave plenty of freedom:

It's a not-so subtle reminder that Ronaldo's ongoing form will be determined by the player himself, not his manager.

Tactics are a regular point of contention. Benitez frequently has to answer qualms about his so-called cautious approach.

Perhaps understandably, the former Liverpool boss defiantly directed his critics to the scoreline:

Defiance will only take Benitez so far, though. Quieting the critics and maybe even winning a few over can only be achieved by better performances and consistent results.

This is a club that cherishes winning in grand style as a badge of honour. If Benitez can't learn how to deliver trophies and still satisfy the purists, the pressure on his position will only increase.