Last Updated: Thu, 08 May 2008 09:45
Bernd Schuster praised his Real Madrid side for thrashing Barcelona 4-1 in El Classico on Wednesday despite already being champions.
The German tactician might have been forgiven for thinking the Real players could have taken their foot off the gas against their big rivals at the Bernabeu, having sealed the title with a 2-1 win at Osasuna on Sunday. However Schuster was delighted to see his men underline their championship-winning credentials with a convincing win.
Raul, Arjen Robben, Gonzalo Higuain and Ruud van Nistelrooy scored Madrid's goals, before Thierry Henry's fine effort reduced the deficit late on.
"After winning the title on Sunday, we wanted to round off our efforts," Schuster told Sport.es.
"The team's attitude was exemplary, because sometimes if you win the title you can grow relaxed, and games against Barca can be dangerous.
"But when you have the chance to score, like today, you need to take it. The situation for them was not optimal: our going 2-0 up harmed them. It was key to go ahead on the scoreboard so they were key goals.
"We went on to control them with comfort and they couldn't find a way to get back into the match."
He added: "We found the formula to stop their offense and managed to thwart any dangerous plays. We were superior and are very satisfied with this triumph.
"Of course we wanted to cap off the season with a victory over Barcelona in front of our fans. The team's attitude was phenomenal throughout the ninety minutes.
"When the title is already in the bag players may lose a little focus, but that wasn't the case. They took on the match as if it was a final and I want to congratulate them for a job well done."
Madrid are ten points clear of second-placed Villarreal and 17 ahead of Barca and Schuster says he expected a tighter battle for the Primera Liga.
He said: "No one expected Barcelona to be in this situation at the beginning of the season.
"We thought we had what it takes to fight for the title, but opening this lead is quite shocking. We have won a hefty number of points which is why the lead is what it is, but nobody expected it."