Real Madrid defender Pepe was delighted to be back for victory over Sporting Gijon.

Sporting made it difficult for Real on the day.

“It was a really difficult game, a lot of rain and strange weather. The team knew how to suffer as a team and we deserved the win. EI am happy to come back, help out Real Madrid and defend the shirt. We got three important points which could make the difference in the long run. We all deserve congratulations because we worked as a team," said Pepe.

“I felt good despite it being a tough, difficult game, in which we knew they would give all in order to snatch the points. We started well, scoring twice but perhaps we didn't keep up the intensity. The most important thing is that we got the result having fought as a unit. It was a complicated game, in which we suffered a lot to win but that is the sign of champions."