Benitez: There is a campaign against Real Madrid

Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez feels there is a campaign against him, the club and president Florentino Perez following recent criticism.

The former Napoli coach's position is under scrutiny following his team's performances and their expulsion from the Copa del Rey for fielding the ineligible Denis Cheryshev against Cadiz in the first leg of their round of 32 clash.

And, speaking ahead of Madrid's home La Liga clash with Real Sociedad on Wednesday, Benitez has now insisted that stories are consistently being manipulated to target him and the club.

"There is a campaign against Madrid, against Florentino and against me," he said at his pre-match media conference.

"Everything that happens here is manipulated.  I knew I was coming to a club where everything is magnified. I have been 30 years in the dugout and had more than 1,400 games. I know how it is and how you solve it.

"You concentrate on the job. I know I cannot let myself get distracted.

"The team is much better than what people think – that has been reflected in some of the matches."

Benitez has also rejected claims he has a poor relationship with the Madrid dressing room.

He continued: "Every decision I take is considered as a personal decision, so there is a lot of speculation. The campaign is obvious.

"My relationship with the squad is much better than the media say. Some players are happier than others, but this happens in all squads. I can't waste time on that, I have to bring out the best in them.

"We have a 24-man squad, so 13 have to be left out very week. It seems to me people think when players are left out it is a personal decision and it is not it is technical.

"I can only pick 11 players, if people want to damage me and the club I can't do anything about that - all I can do is work.

"I want to win trophies here and that has not changed, but it is only something that can happen at the end of the season."