Manuel Pellegrini was surprisingly critical of Real Madrid’s performance despite his team thrashing Xerez 5-0 at the Bernabeu.

"Each match is different," said Pellegrini. "We didn't play well as a team, especially in the first twenty minutes."

"Perhaps we were too confident after the first goal. Xerez controlled the ball well. We improved in the second half with more midfielders on the pitch and the goals were a product."

"What I am not satisfied about is how we treated the ball."

Pellegrini defended the rotation policy that he employed in the game against Xerez, saying that the ends justified the means.

"You can always draw conclusions after a match," added the Real Madrid coach. "This starting eleven can play more games. We believed that these were the best eleven to play. We also took into account the fact that we have three matches this week."

"The two formulas, one with more forwards and the other with more midfielders, work."

The Chilean also took time to encourage Fernando Gago, who got a rare run-out over the weekend.

"Fans see, feel and express with applause or whistles. Today it was Fernando Gago's turn, but he shouldn't be affected because he is good enough to change things around."

"I am happy because we won 5-0. The goals weren't a coincidence, but we didn't play that well. It's a matter of irregularities at the start of the season, but I am fine seeing how things are turning out."

"We are still improving."

"I don't think there is any lack of adapting to the system," added Pellegrini. "No team has created a lot of chances against us yet. It is hard to play well for 90 minutes."

"We placed a lot of faith in the team's fire power. Individual assessments are made in private with players. I am speaking about the collective effort."

"I said the absence of Xabi Alonso was significant, but I also said that this team can play with anybody out."

"We have plenty of options."