Real Madrid vs Malaga preview - Malaga can be Real threat

Posted Friday, April 17, 2015 by PA

Carlo Ancelotti has warned his Real Madrid side against complacency as they aim to maintain their pursuit of Primera Division leaders Barcelona when they face Malaga at the Bernabeu on Saturday.

Ancelotti will go into the game without the injured Karim Benzema for the game against their seventh-placed opponents while Gareth Bale has also been struggling with muscle fatigue.

Real start the game two points behind their traditional rivals who face a potentially difficult home game against fourth-placed Valencia, and Ancelotti said: "We know this is a dangerous match.

"Malaga played very well against Atletico, performing with a lot of intensity and quality. They beat Barcelona at home and we need to focus on this match in order to win it."

Ancelotti cut a frustrated figure after watching his side fail to take their chances in their midweek Champions League quarter-final first leg draw against city rivals Atletico.

And despite Benzema's injury adding to Ancelotti's woe, the coach told a press conference he has no hesitation in handing former Malaga playmaker Isco an important role in the Frenchman's absence.

Ancelotti added: "Isco is fresh and ready to go and I know I can use him at any given time. Every match counts now because we are fighting for both competitions, and the players are well aware of this."

Malaga go into the game knowing they can ill afford another defeat after a run of four games without a win which left them five points adrift of sixth-placed Villarreal in the table.

But Javi Garcia's men will have been buoyed by their performance against Atletico last week when they fought out a fine 2-2 draw against the defending champions at La Rosaleda.