Rafa Benitez has insisted that Real Madrid did not underestimate Granada following Saturday’s “difficult” 1-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the game as Los Blancos temporarily moved top of La Liga, but the Andalucians were not without their chances, Youssef El-Arabi most notably seeing his finish wrongly disallowed.
“We knew before the game that [Granada] could be difficult to face,” the Coach said after the game.
“They’re a well-organised team who hit you on the counter. We didn’t take our chances but still had more control and more possibilities [to score].
“Madrid didn’t underestimate Granada. I told you [the Press] and my players [beforehand] of Granada’s potential.
“We had three or four clear chances. Granada played very well defensively and capitalised on our mistakes, complacency and loose balls with speed.
“We switched Lucas to the left so he could shut out [Granada’s right flank] and help out Marcelo.
“We had more possession and control once [Mateo] Kovacic came on, but we lacked success in front of goal.
“The team are working well. Keylor [Navas] solved some of the problems we faced, and it’s not easy to break records at Real Madrid.
“[On the boos] after the game, I went into the dressing room and told the lads that I was happy with their work and the result.
“We know we have to play well and win, but when everything doesn’t go well for you, a win is enough of a positive.
“If we analyse our results, the team have shown concentration, intensity and quality. If not then we wouldn’t have recorded these results.”
