Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez says his team was made to work hard by Granada after Los Blancos secured a 1-0 win on Saturday.
Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the game in the second half as the 10-time Champions League winners ensured their fourth consecutive win and made it five games without conceding this season.
Madrid had plenty of chances but failed to put them away, while the visitors made life tough and put in a great performance defensively.
Afterward, Benitez told reporters he was pleased to emerge with a win admitted the players had to put in a shift.
“We knew that it was a potentially difficult game, against a well-organised team who come out on the counter-attack. At the beginning we gave balls away and failed to capitalise on some chances. Then we had more control and more opportunities, and the game was pretty much under control, except for the final stages, when they had to send the ball forward in desperation,” he commented.
Asked whether Los Blancos had underestimated their opposition or shown them a lack of respect, Benitez denied the claims.
“Categorically no. Real Madrid have not done that and I was the first to talk about the potential dangers posed by Granada in my press conference. I said the same to my players, and we witnessed it in today’s game, right up until the end. They put in a good performance, we worked hard and created enough chances to merit the win. They gave a good account of themselves, but we scored the goal that got the win,” he stated.
