Midfielder Michael Essien has drawn praise from Real Madrid�s technical team after excelling in a make-shift left-back position.
The Spanish champions were very solid at the back despite missing some key players notably Marcelo in the 2-0 win over Celta de Vigo on Saturday.
Essien was brought in on loan on transfer deadline day mainly on his reputation as a utility player of which he displayed efficiently in the win over the Primera Liga minnows.
The 29-year-old�s eye-catching performance did not go unnoticed by Madrid�s assistant coach Aitor Karanka.
�The back four played very well. Celta only had one header at the end of the match,� Karanka declared to reporters after the match.
�Ramos knew his position, Varane fulfilled his role and Pepe played like he always does.
�We signed Essien because he is a player that the manager knows very well, and because of the various positions he can play in, which he fulfilled well tonight too.
�Today was an important match after the international break and the response of the team as a whole is what we expected.�
The Ghana international has fitted in perfectly since joining Los Blancos following his barren run of games at Chelsea.
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