Benitez stands firm as Ramos defends him
Rafael Benitez brushed off questions regarding his future and praised Real Madrid's players after the team's draw with Valencia.
Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez described repeated questions over his future as "misguided" and praised his players for their display after Monday's (AEDT) thrilling 2-2 draw with Valencia.
Benitez was denied a much-needed win at his former club thanks to Paco Alcacer's late header, having led early on through Karim Benzema.
The Frenchman's opener was cancelled out by Dani Parejo prior to half-time before Mateo Kovacic was dismissed for a lunge on Andres Gomes.
Gareth Bale looked to have ensured victory for Benitez but Alcacer gained a point seven minutes from time as Benitez's men failed to take advantage of Barcelona's 0-0 draw with Espanyol on Sunday.
When asked again about his future, Benitez told reporters: "You are entitled to ask the question but I think it is misguided. It is a waste to only see the result. The effort made by the team deserves more praise than anything else.
"I cannot control the speculation. What I do is I get the team to work as it has today. They have made a great effort and unfortunately have not taken all three points. We played a good game. In the first half for 35 minutes we had control, the second half was difficult but we worked well.
"When we were down to ten we had to make more of an effort and the players did that. We had chances of winning and losing, my regret is that after the goal we couldn't stop their second."
Goalscorer Benzema was withdrawn midway through the second half for Lucas Vazquez shortly before Kovacic was dismissed in a change that raised a few eyebrows.
But Benitez explained: "[Benzema] had worked hard. He had a problem the other day and we wanted to have more control in midfield.
"Unfortunately we then went down to 10 and it was a matter of staying strong. The team made a great effort with 10."
Madrid captain Sergio Ramos concurred with his boss, describing his team's character in the face of a difficult trip away from home.
"It's clearly been a game with a lot of intensity. The team came out for the three points, but due to the circumstances of the game we didn't get them," Ramos said.
"We went forward and they equalised at the end, with just a few minutes left. The loss of a player made us work much more, maybe because we knew we were close to victory.
"We came out with great intensity, but they were able to take advantage in the last minute. When you have one player fewer, the physical exertion doubles, there's more space and the team suffers more.
"The team has showed the character that people ask of us, that they demand from this crest."
Ramos also took the time to give his backing to Benitez amid the mounting speculation over the 55-year-old coach's future.
"Benitez deserved credit. He is the coach and he will always have the confidence of the players," Ramos said.