Lucas Alcaraz has said Granada cannot worry only about Cristiano Ronaldo when they play Real Madrid on Saturday.
Madrid won the first meeting between the sides of the season through a Karim Benzema goal and ahead of the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu, Alcaraz has spoken of the many problems posed by the title challengers.
“Ronaldo is a superlative player,” the 47-year-old told AS.
“But since we cannot remove any Madrid player, what I want my team to do is think about what’s best for us and for our team.
“We have to think about our idiosyncrasies and identity and how to make the best of it.
“We know all about the virtues of Madrid so it makes no sense to concentrate on them. We have to focus on our strengths and reveal them in the game.”
Alcaraz added that while discussing how to beat Madrid is one thing, it’s another matter entirely actually doing so.
“It’s not that easy to prevent Madrid scoring.
“What we want is that when we have the ball, we keep it.
“And when they have the ball, we get together and are well organised. That’s what I try to instil in my players.”
Alcaraz also admitted that while he feels his players are in a good mindset now, what matters is how they are feeling come the day of the game.
“Right now we are in a good place but in one or two days we could go up or down.
“What matters is where we are on the day.
“Now we can be a reliable team but in a few days, who knows?
“We must be aware that Madrid do not give in and know we cannot lower our intensity.
“We know that when we visit a team with a large budget it gets more difficult.
“We must use that as motivation, and we are always a team. We try to play as competitively as possible and from there, we either win or we lose.”
Alcaraz conceded that taking Granada to the Bernabeu as Granada Coach is a special occasion for him having been born in Granada.
The Andalusian club also gave Alcaraz his first Coaching post, in 1995.
“I have to pinch myself, and also thank the management who were here before I was.
“Granada going to the Bernabeu for three straight years is historic.”
Tiago Ilori, signed on loan from Liverpool this week, is in the squad for the game but Alcaraz suggested the centre-back would not start the game.