Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho insists he can manage his in-form strikers after victory over Real Betis.

With Karim Benzema again on the bench, Gonzalo Higuain struck a third hat-trick in four games.

Mourinho argued: "There is no such thing as a starter for me when one has players as good as these. It's hard for me to say this one's a starter and that one isn't. It's difficult for one footballer to play three, four, five or six games, and for another to be benched for three, four or five. They're all very good players. Karim had a very good start and Higuain is currently scoring goals. His is excellent for all of us.

"Benzema was on the bench to come on if we had trouble in attack. He warmed-up when the score was 0-0 and could've played. We then scored and there was no reason to take risks. He's just recovered from an injury and it will be better for him to train tomorrow and on Monday. It's best for him to train three or four days after coming out of a small, but muscular, injury.

"I look at the characteristics of each player when I decide the lineup. You make plans, but sometimes things are completely different by the time you have to play the game. Higuain and Benzema have different characteristics and one thing in common: they both score goals."