Real Madrid No2 Aitor Karanka feels the manner of victory at Valencia will bring the players closer together.

The visitors edged a five-goal thriller at the Mestalla.

Karanka said: "This victory strengthens the unity on the squad even more by proving it can win both playing a brilliant game or suffering. We proved we know how to counterattack when neither side controlled the match. The team proved it can suffer, just like it did at Anoeta, and fought to take three points. What matters is that our quality stock shone through. Our unity came to the fore at a complicated venue such as Anoeta, proving we can win these games by fighting very hard.

"The game looked finished after we scored our second strike. They then scored quickly and we followed that with a third goal of our own, seemingly leaving the game finished again. Things became complicated for us due to a mistake and the lack of control from either side.

"As I said yesterday, Mestalla is a difficult venue and we know these three points are very important. The season is far from over and we will continue to work to take more points."