It is impossible to keep everyone happy at Real Madrid. Rafa Benitez was an unpopular choice among many fans to take over from the popular Carlo Ancelotti in the summer and he has already been targeted by the boo-boys at the Santiago Bernabeu. So far, however, he deserves credit for the club's strong start.
Madrid were held to a goalless draw at Sporting Gijon in their opening Liga game of the season, but have gone on to win their next three in the Primera Division and are just two points behind champions Barcelona after four rounds of matches.
Saturday's narrow 1-0 win over Granada brought whistles and jeers from some supporters at the Bernabeu, but Benitez has started just as well - or even better - than most of his predecessors in the last 15 years.
Jose Mourinho also kicked off with a goalless draw in 2010-11 and went on to claim 10 points from a possible 12, as did Ancelotti in his debut campaign (2013-14). Those numbers are also matched by Carlos Queiroz in 2003-04 and Bernd Schuster in 2007-08.
But Benitez's side have scored an impressive 12 goals in that time and conceded none - something no other coach has managed at the outset of any Liga campaign in the past 15 years.
His Liga start is bettered only by Manuel Pellegrini, who led Madrid to four straight wins at the beginning of his sole season in 2009-10. The Chilean coach saw his side concede two in that time - both in a 3-2 win over Deportivo La Coruna on his - and Cristiano Ronaldo's - Real debut.
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