Rafa Benitez Claims 'Campaign' Against Real Madrid, Florentino Perez and Himself

Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez has claimed he and the club's president, Florentino Perez, have been the subjects of a media witch hunt amid growing scrutiny over his reign at the Santiago Bernabeu.

It's been a rocky maiden season for Benitez at the club, and Real Madrid TV presenter Phil Kitromilides quoted the Spaniard on Tuesday as he spoke ahead of Wednesday's La Liga clash with Real Sociedad:

Los Merengues sit third in the Spanish top flight, two points adrift of leaders Barcelona and rivals Atletico Madrid after taking 33 points from a possible 48 so far this season.

Goal provided further quotes from Tuesday's press conference, where Benitez cited his experience in a bid to rally some support:

"

Everything that happens here is manipulated.  I knew I was coming to a club where everything is magnified. I have been 30 years in the dugout and had more than 1,400 games. I know how it is and how you solve it. You concentrate on the job. I know I cannot let myself get distracted. The team is much better than what people think – that has been reflected in some of the matches.

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According to Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC, former Liverpool and Chelsea chief Benitez admitted the English media don't exaggerate as much as their Spanish counterparts:

Corrigan recently reported ex-Real Madrid star Zinedine Zidane and former coach Jose Mourinho, recently sacked by Chelsea, were being lined up as possible replacements for Mourinho if he was shown the door.

When asked for his thoughts on those rumours, the manager again stated it's the media's use of such information that proves most disruptive:

Benitez's first run as Real boss hasn't been helped by injuries to the likes of Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez. There's also been the blackmail allegations against France striker Karim Benzema and the club's embarrassing expulsion from the Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player.

However, even with a fully fit squad, some of the tactician's decisions in terms of style and playing personnel have been scrutinised, but he insisted his relationship with the dressing room is fine:

"

Every decision I take is considered as a personal decision, so there is a lot of speculation. The campaign is obvious. My relationship with the squad is much better than the media say. Some players are happier than others, but this happens in all squads. I can't waste time on that, I have to bring out the best in them.

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Benitez is right in that appeasing every squad member just isn't realistic, for a club like Real Madrid more so than others, where the pressure to challenge for the biggest titles in the world doesn't cease.

FourFourTwo's Emanuel Rosu recently questioned why Benitez was appointed manager, adding that the current Real Madrid team is "painful to watch" under his tutelage:

Despite the drama at the Bernabeu in recent months, there is evidence to suggest Benitez is right in his claims and that any suggestion of disharmony at Real Madrid are wide of the mark.

Los Blancos can go temporarily to the summit of La Liga on Wednesday if they beat Sociedad, and the club is in the Champions League round of 16 after topping Group A with 16 points, which was more than any other team this season.

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

Their haul of 19 goals also saw them top the scoring charts alongside Bayern Munich, albeit thanks to an 8-0 thrashing of Malmo, but the positive signs are there depending on how one interprets them.

As Benitez highlighted, pressure comes part and parcel with the hot seat at Real Madrid, but the rewards are equally great if he can steer through the fog and deliver silverware to the fans who might otherwise see him replaced.