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This game seems like the perfect one for Benítez to rotate his squad and give his starters some rest. Real Madrid will visiting Athletic's San Mamés next Wednesday and players like Modric, Marcelo or Cristiano Ronaldo could use a game off to get ready for what should be a tough match for Los Blancos.
Rafa Benítez has always been know for being a coach who hardly uses the same starting XI in two straight matches, so players like Jesé, Kovacic, Casemiro or Cheryshev will surely be hoping to see some action this Saturday. Rotations are very important for a team with such a busy schedule like Real Madrid's, as last season proved. After all, Real's reserves should have what it takes to beat Granada at the Santiago Bernabéu and collect all three points.
Granada have recorded a single win -- to Getafe -- this season while losing against Villarreal and Eibar. They almost got relegated last year and Real Madrid should take care of business even with the reserves. Rochina and Success are Granada's most dangerous players while goalkeeper Andrés Fernández is not in great form. He got whistled by his own fans and his confidence is so low that Real Madrid should take advantage of that.
Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos will join Danilo and James in the stands after getting injured during Real's Champions League debut against Shakhtar. These two players are trying to recover in time for the Derby at the Vicente Calderón in early October, and so is James. Benítez will have to decide between Kovacic and Jesé to find his replacement for Gareth Bale, although that could be easier if he gives Modric some rest. Jesé deserves to play after completing a good pre-season but he only got involved in Real's Liga opener against Gijón. With Bale and James out, he must step up his game and prove he is more than ready to play relevant minutes this season.
Denis Cheryshev is another player who could make it into the Starting XI if Benítez chooses to rotate his attackers. The Russian has been struggling this season as he missed Benítez's first lists. Will he finally get a chance against a manageable Granada team or will Benítez start Cristiano Ronaldo again?
The Spanish manager needs to remember what got Carlo Ancelotti in trouble last season. The Italian manager started Ronaldo, Benzema and Kroos match after match and those players couldn't make it to the end of the season in shape to beat Juventus or Valencia in the games that decided the Champions League and Liga BBVA titles.
Knowing just how deep Real's roster is right now, Benítez needs to use this kind of matches to give his reserves some minutes, keep them motivated and involved for what will be a tough season ahead.