Ancelotti: Real Madrid should stick by Benitez

Carlo Ancelotti says Rafael Bentiez deserves patience at Real Madrid, urging the club to stick by his successor.

Benitez took over from Ancelotti in the Santiago Bernabeu hot-seat during the close season but he is under heavy scrutiny following a humiliating 4-0 loss to rivals Barcelona in the Clasico on Saturday.

And Ancelotti, who has said he is open to returning to the Santiago Bernabeu, says the Spaniard was found wanting tactically against Barca but believes he should be allowed time for his ideas to take root in the squad.

"Let's be slow with our judgments because we are just at the beginning," he told Radio RAI. "The Madrid players have the ability to revive the situation.

"They suffered against a really strong Barcelona. But it's difficult to judge Benitez from the outside.

"From watching the game, it seems they suffered most on the tactical level. Every coach has his own ideas and that's good, for better or for worse, he takes them forward."

As for Madrid's reportedly disgruntled talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ancelotti added: "I spoke with Ronaldo last week, he never said he had a bad relationship with the coach.

"He tows the line and always tries to help his team. When things aren't going well, it's obvious that the forwards have to suffer most."