Granada CF vs Real Madrid preview - Granada aim to halt Real run

Posted Friday, October 31, 2014 by PA

Granada coach Joaquin Caparros is confident his side can give red-hot Real Madrid a run for their money at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes on Saturday, insisting the European champions "are not invincible".

Madrid make the trip south on the back of a stunning run of form, which has seem them win their last 10 matches in all competitions while averaging more than four goals per game.

During that run Carlo Ancelotti's men have put eight past Deportivo La Coruna, scored five goals in four other games, beaten Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield and, last weekend, downed arch-rivals Barcelona 3-1 at the Bernabeu.

Those were the first league goals Barca have conceded this season and the result allowed third-placed Madrid to move to within one point of the league leaders.

In contrast to those incredible figures, Granada had lost four successive games before last week's draw at Eibar and the Andalusian club have scored just six times this season - 27 less than Madrid.

Despite all that though, Caparros is not giving up Saturday's game for lost and told the Spanish media at a press conference: "We're well aware that we're facing a very difficult game, but if we go out really focused and determined and we take advantage of the opportunities that we have, then I'm convinced that we can fight for the game.

"Madrid are coming off a great week after beating Liverpool and Barca and their confidence will be very high. But we can't forget that they have lost games this season.

"We're optimistic. Madrid aren't the league leaders, nor are they invincible."

Caparros does, however, concede that Ancelotti has a very special side at his disposal.

The experienced boss added: "The capacity they have to win games is incredible. They can beat you by attacking, on the counter-attack, in tactics or in individual actions.

"It's a very well-balanced team, without any cracks."

Madrid's winning streak has left them within five victories of matching the club's best-ever run - set first in the 1960-61 season under Miguel Munoz and then equalled in 2011-12 by Jose Mourinho's team - and a favourable fixture list suggests Ancelotti's men have a decent chance of breaking that record in the coming weeks.

The Italian is taking nothing for granted, though, and has warned his star-studded side not to take Granada lightly this weekend.

He told the Spanish media at a press conference: "They have changed their team and coach with respect to last season. It will be a difficult game. Caparros' teams are very well organised and play well on the counter.

"We have to be careful with this game and impose our quality on the pitch.

"We're happy with how we're doing, but every game is a test. The past is the past. In Granada we want to do the same, but you never know how things will turn out."

Ancelotti confirmed that Gareth Bale is again missing for Madrid through injury, along with Fabio Coentrao and Jese, while there are questions marks against Pepe and Luka Modric.

For Granada, Fran Rico is suspended while Piti joins Luis Martins, Sulayman Marreh and Darwin Machi on the injury list.