Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini was pleased with their 1-0 victory over Racing Santander.

Gonzalo Higuain struck the winner for Real and Pellegrini said: "We hit the post twice. I am happy with the three points and with our defensive security.

"It is always hard to return after 15 days.

"We suffered a tough elimination from the Copa Del Rey and the team bounced back well."

He added: "We must improve the football we play, but in other matches, playing worse, we have obtained greater scorelines. The 1-0 does not reflect what happened in the game.

"Racing did not create the slightest danger to our goal."