Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster deflected praise to his players after last night's 1-0 victory at Barcelona.

Real were able to keep Barca at arm's length for the much of the game, with Pepe outstanding in defence and Schuster said: "We must talk about the whole team, not only of Pepe. All have been at a high level. We have been able to keep control of Barca and play with width, which is what we wanted.

"That Barca couldn't score on their own field says everything, it is the first time in a long time that's happened.

"Tactically, we didn't want Barca to play through the middle, that's where they're most dangerous with (Andres) Iniesta and Ronaldinho. The game was played on the flanks and that suited us."

On matchwinner Julio Baptista, Schuster added: "He did his thing, working hard and believing in himself until the moment came for him to play.

"He scored the winning goal, but it has been a team victory. Every player had to be at their best in order to win here.

"It was the players who won tonight, I had nothing to do with it."