Carlo Ancelotti has insisted Real Madrid won’t take Granada lightly and revealed Pepe and Luka Modric are doubts for the game.
Madrid go into the fixture on the back of victory in last weekend’s Clasico and amid praise for both their form and their style.
But Ancelotti insisted neither the compliments nor the past performances mean anything for upcoming fixtures and warned Granada could cause a shock.
“We’re happy with what we’re doing but every game is an examination for us,” he said at a Press conference, AS reports.
“The games in the past are in the past. Granada will be another test and you never know how it will turn out.
“Granada have made changes to the team and the Coach and it will be a tough game. Joaquin Caparros’ teams are very organised and they play well on the counter-attack.
“We have to be careful with this game and impose our quality on the pitch.”
Ancelotti was asked for injury updates and revealed Pepe and Modric are carrying problems, but praised the contributions of Isco, Sami Khedira and Asier Illarramendi.
“We have concerns over Pepe and Modric. Gareth Bale, Fabio Coentrao and Jese are still injured,” he confirmed.
“Khedira and Illarra will be important. Khedira played well [against Cornella]. Toni Kroos and Modric won’t play the entire season.
“I have four players in the position I can trust. They have different characteristics.
“Isco is playing well and I hope this form lasts until the end of the season. He can play with Bale, he’s done that before and it went well.”
It was put to Ancelotti that returning Bale to the side as soon as he is fit, as Ancelotti has said he will, could upset the likes of Isco, who have performed well as replacements.
“No one could be angry because Bale deserves to play,” he countered.
“He’s one of the best players in the world and one of the most important in this squad.”
Ancelotti was also asked for his thoughts on a controversial moment in Caparros’ Press conference, when he expressed his displeasure with Marca by ripping up the front cover of today’s edition as he complained over being mis-quoted.
“I understand what has made Caparros do that. He did it with taste. I’ve wanted to do that but never have,” came the reply.
