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Benitez was handed a vote of confidence by Real Madrid's president on Monday and he must be given the chance to prove himself in the Champions League this season
The above scenario seems not only unlikely but extremely far-fetched at this point in time. Reeling from the 4-0 loss at home to their fierce rivals on Saturday, Madrid are in turmoil and after president Florentino Perez absolved himself from all blame in a press briefing on Monday, Benitez is walking a tightrope.
But Perez promised his coach time and now he must stick to that pledge. Not that he has many alternatives at the moment, but the club chief told the Madrid media he was confident Benitez could turn around the team's flagging fortunes after the disastrous defeat to the Blaugrana and so he should stick to his words.
"Rafa Benitez has our support and our confidence," the president said. "He has been here a short time and we are sure he will solve the problems. He needs time to work."
How long he will be given is anyone's guess, but the 55-year-old now needs results to be positive if he is to make it through the coming weeks and months.
Asked about the Clasico calamity on Tuesday, Benitez said: "We have spoken to the players to analyse the mistakes. "Starting with me. The group has a lot of quality, a lot of professionalism and what we need to do is channel that in order to achieve our objectives."
Speaking ahead of the Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk, he added: "We're in November and all of our objectives remain within reach. We are going to try and achieve them."
Already six points adrift of Barca in La Liga and effectively seven behind because overturning the goal average in the second Clasico at Camp Nou will be virtually impossible, Madrid turn their attentions to the continental competition on Wednesday. And it could be Benitez's best - perhaps only - hope of salvation.
The most memorable moment in the Spaniard's coaching career came during his time at Liverpool, when he led the Reds to the Champions League crown in his first season in charge, as the Anfield side came from three goals down in an epic final in Istanbul before beating AC Milan on penalties.
In addition, the former Madrid youth coach won the Uefa Cup with Valencia in 2004 and claimed the Europa League in his sole season at Chelsea in 2013. He also took Liverpool to another Champions League final (against AC Milan again) in 2007.
So it may be that pedigree in knockout competitions that keeps him in a job - at least for the time being. After all, Perez is not likely to decide he made a mistake in axing Carlo Ancelotti and knows that relieving Rafa of his duties at this stage will only turn moremadridistas against him, after fans waved white handkerchiefs in protest at the president during Saturday's loss to Barca.
In any case, it remains far too early in the season for Madrid to make a coaching change - especially considering they were actually unbeaten up until the beginning of this month and have lost only two of their 16 games in all competitions.
It is also worth remembering that this time last year, Real were in the middle of a 22-game winning streak (the finest in the club's history) before going on to close the year by claiming the World Club Cup - their fourth trophy of 2014. Barcelona, by contrast, were all at sea under Luis Enrique at the time and the Asturian coach looked unlikely to last long at Camp Nou.
But everything changed quickly and dramatically after Christmas as Barca found their feet while Real slumped amid a severe injury crisis. And it could all change again.
Benitez has plenty of work to do after Saturday's damaging defeat, of course, but he needs the time Perez promised to prove he can be a hit at Real - and his ability to prepare for one-off matches and knockout ties means the Champions League looks like his best chance of success.
So, unless the situation becomes truly untenable, with catastrophic results in the months ahead, Rafa really should be allowed his best shot at bringing La Undecima. And who knows? With the time he has been pledged by his president, he may just surprise a few people like Luis Enrique did in 2015.
Goal.com
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