Madrid still have motivation in La Liga, says Karanka

Posted Sunday, April 07, 2013 by Goal.com

The Spaniard has been heartened by los Blancos' recent displays and regards their latest win on Saturday evening as a show of strength of the team's depth

Real Madrid assistant Aitor Karanka insisted his players are motivated to secure second spot in La Liga after witnessing his men demolish Levante 5-1 on Saturday.

Gonzalo Higuain's superb volley opened the floodgates as the Spanish champions ran riot, with the heavily-rotated Bernabeu outfit stretching their advantage over city rivals Atletico Madrid to four points.

"We are motivated to finish second and have to keep going, also because Atletico are several points behind and so can’t get ahead of us," Karanka told reporters after the match.

"At the beginning of the season we did not win several matches, but since then there have been others. Conclusions have already been drawn and now we have to look at what is left and what is important, which remains plenty."

Luka Modric and Pepe found their way into the starting line-up as coach Jose Mourinho opted to shuffle his pack, and Karanka believed the nature of the victory was testamant to the quality and depth of the squad.

"Levante let us dominate possession. When that happens here at the Bernabeu in addition to the quality of players that we have, matches go well," the 39-year-old continued.

"The team has players with a lot of quality. Modric and Pepe started so that they both get more time on the pitch and pick up more confidence and get into the pace of matches.

"We are coming to the important part of the season, and the team is doing really well - it shows in matches like Wednesday in the Champions League, and today in the league."

Los Blancos next take on Galatasaray in the quarter-finals of Europe's premier club competition, maintaining a commanding 3-0 first leg lead as they travel to Turk Telekom Arena.