Real Madrid defender Pepe spoke about their media ban after victory at Apoel Nicosia.

Real hadn't spoken with the local media since their draw at Villarreal.

After last night's Champions League win, Pepe said: "We know we're in good form and we have a great advantage to be champions. It will be difficult though and we must be humble.

"I'm here to play the league championship. We decided not to talk much after what happened against Villarreal. We made a decision not to so as not to be misunderstood and be more relaxed. We do our job and you, the journalists, assess it. We have to face up to challenges on and off the pitch and give our all for this shirt."

Real fullback Alvaro Arbeloa also remarked: "We decided not to speak after the match against Villarreal in order to have some more relaxing days. We always knew things would go back to normal, so it isn't all that important. It was a decision we all made. We weren't looking for trouble. We just wanted to be calm and to avoid our words being misinterpreted."