Benitez repeats confidence ahead of must win game and gives support to James

MADRID, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) - Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez on Saturday defended midfielder James Rodriguez following the incident which saw the Colombian involved in a high-speed car chase with the police.

James was followed to Real Madrid's Valdebebas training ground by a plain colored police car which had clocked him driving at 200 kilometers per hour. It is not yet certain what kind of a sanction awaits the player, who could face charges both for speeding and also for not stopping when ordered to by the police.

Speaking in his press conference ahead of Wednesday's trip to Valencia in which his job could again be on the line, Benitez was asked about the incident and responded that "It is a private issue."

"James is a good lad, he's serious and he has given us the corresponding explanations. It is a private matter and we have to wait and see what happens," he said.

Benitez was also asked about Sunday's game against the club he led to two league titles and the UEFA Cup.

"I am very confident and I am not thinking about any slip-ups," he said.

"I think we are going to do well and we are going to try and play a game which will give us the three points," he continued, insisting his job did not rest on the result.

"I have come to Real Madrid with experience, after having won a lot of titles and with the confidence of a President (Florentino Perez) who has a project. We have to be patient and I hope to win the games to fulfil our objectives. I am confident," he repeated. Enditem