Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini was pleased with how his team coped with the pressure of expectations.

Speaking after Madrid's entertaining 3-2 win over Deportivo, Pellegrini expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance in the first league game of the season.

"I am very pleased" he told reporters after the game.

"It was very important to win the first game. The expectation was very high, and the nerves and urgency were present throughout the game.

"There will always be nerves when you are only one goal up, because they can equalize at any moment.

"Given that it is the first game, I am happy with the team's performance."

Real saw their lead cancelled out twice, before Lassana Diarra scored a spectacular winner.

The Chilean tactician then analyzed the match in further detail, continuing, "We were on the attack throughout."

"They were well organized defensively, and dangerous on the counter-attack.

"We controlled the game, always looking for a goal."

When asked if there was any cause for concern, having conceded two goals, Pellegrini admitted that the team would have to work on their defending against set pieces.