Real Madrid vs Real Betis preview - Real Madrid boss Benitez insists home is where his heart is
Posted Friday, August 28, 2015 by PA
Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez insists his focus is on Saturday's home match against promoted Real Betis and not on transfer market.
The Spanish press continue to speculate on the possible arrival of Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
De Gea has been strongly linked with a move to Real in recent months and according to Marca, the Spain international is unlikely to arrive to Real until Monday, transfer deadline day.
Benitez, whose side were held to a goalless draw in their Primera Division opener at promoted Sporting Gijon last week, said on the club's official website: "We have a game against Betis, which is the most important thing.
"I'm focused on that and I want for things to go well for us tomorrow. I'm not monitoring the market.
"We have a very good team right now, with players that can adapt to different positions.
"We are not looking at the market for anything special as we have a very balanced group. Betis are my priority."
Benitez expects another difficult challenge against a Betis side that has returned to La Liga just one year after being relegated.
"I expect a similar game to that against Sporting," he said. "Betis have returned to the Primera Division and are really motivated. "
French forward Karim Benzema is expected to return to action having recovered from a thigh injury which saw him sit out his team's league opener.
"After three weeks working individually, Karim does not have the playing time of his team-mates," Benitez said. "However, he can feature on Saturday - but I don't know for how many minutes."
The 10-time European champions head into the match knowing they will start their Champions League campaign at home to Shakhtar Donetsk on September 15.
Los Blancos have also been paired with French champions Paris St Germain and Swedish giants Malmo.
"They are strong teams and we will try to qualify," Real star Cristiano Ronaldo tweeted. "The Champions League is a trophy we want to win."
Real again expect big things from Ronaldo, La Liga's top scorer last season with 48 goals.
The Portuguese has failed to find the back of the net in Real's recent games but Betis coach Pepe Mel has laughed off suggestions that Ronaldo or Real have problems up front.
"That is the joke of the summer," Mel said to Marca. "Real have Cristiano, Benzema, Gareth Bale, James...
"Cristiano at the end of last season had scored more goals than Betis and 13 other teams combined.
"What I'm certain is that if we allow Real to run tomorrow and open up spaces we will lose by at least three goals.
"We must stop them from running. I expect a very determined Real."
Betis held Villarreal to a 1-1 draw in Seville in their league opener.
Saturday's game will see Betis' Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart face his former club.
Van der Vaart, who signed for Betis this summer, played two seasons at Real before joining Tottenham in 2010.
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