Madrid, Dec 5 (IANS): Real Madrid head coach Rafael Benitez has said that they have recovered from the humiliating 0-4 defeat against Barcelona, and emphasised that his group won three straight games in La Liga, the European Champions League and the Copa del Rey, stressing at the same time that the footballers are "better than what a lot of people think".

"We have obtained three consecutive victories and, despite the injuries, we have not lost competitiveness," Benitez was quoted as saying by Efe in a press conference held on Friday before the La Liga clash against Getafe on Saturday.

"We are doing better than what many people think and we have to prove that on the pitch in every game."

In his statements, Benitez focused on the upcoming Getafe game and dodged questions regarding fielding a suspended player during Wednesday's clash against Cadiz.

Rafael said that Getafe is "a good side, and they are well managed".

"They are a group that knows what needs to be done and they do it well," he cautioned.

As for the numerous injuries that his group sustained recently, the coach said? "We have seen similar circumstances in other sides around the world and there are many causes.

"We have been affected by problems that are inherent to an intense season and those that resulted from national teams," Rafael acknowledged.

"That means that players are unable to rest, they over exert themselves, therefore the level of risk increases," he explained.

"I am confident that the fans at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium will support their team as always," Benitez insisted when asked about fans whistling at the team during El Clasico in protest against the team's poor performance.

Currently Real Madrid hold third position in La Liga with 27 points behind leaders Barcelona with a six-point gap.