Rafael Benitez: ‘I knew Granada would be tough’

A solitary goal from Karim Benzema spared Real Madrid’s blushes as the Spanish giants scraped to a nervy 1-0 win over Granada on Saturday.

Former Real Madrid defender Michel Salgado believes star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo does not get the appreciation he deserves following his sublime performances for the Santiago Bernabeu side.

“We knew we had to start La Liga and the Champions League well”, Ronaldo said to the Spanish press.

“We know how important he is for the team”.

“And it was like that”.

“We had a few clear chances to put ourselves in the driving seat”.

Bale was one of three injury concerns for Benitez in the win over Shakhtar, with Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane also withdrawing early in the game.

Benfica are making their sixth consecutive Champions League appearance and has lost just one of their last 15 European games at the Stadium of Light.

“Madrid did not do that”. I told you and my players [beforehand] of Granada’s potential.

Real Madrid were lacking in intensity and Kaylor Navas, chasing a fourth clean sheet, had to be off his line fast to block Success’ shot after Marcelo was guilty of ball watching. “I really love Ronaldo!” he further added.

The big news last time out for the Galacticos wasn’t the 6-0 scoreline over Espanyol, but instead that Cristiano Ronaldo had broken the all-time scoring record for the club, thanks to his five goals against the Barcelona-based team. We must keep giving him confidence to take them.

Gareth Bale joined James Rodriguez on the treatment table prior to Saturday’s clash, with Lucas Vazquez the preferred replacement ahead of Jese Rodriguez in forming part of the attacking trio behind Benzema.

“Many good players get injured, but there is a deep enough squad to fill these places”. “We want it to be less”.

“Keylor has done very well to solve any problematic situations”.

The Mohsen family with Real Madrid. This shows everyone is together, doing things well.