Real Madrid assistant manager Aitor Karanka rued the potential impact on their Champions League chances of injuries to Marcelo and Luka Modric in their 3-1 win over Real Betis on Saturday.
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Two goals from Mesut Ozil and another from Karim Benzema stretched Real's advantage over city rivals Atletico to six points.
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But Karanka's major concern was seeing the Brazilian and Croatian stars limp off ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semifinal first-leg against Borussia Dortmund.
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Marcelo went off after just 15 minutes when he overstretched trying to make a clearance, while Modric left the field to be replaced by Pepe just after an hour.
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"Marcelo has felt a strong sharp pain," Karanka told a press conference.
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"Modric seems like just a strain but he said that he noticed something. The injuries have been the worst thing about the game."
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Brazilian midfielder Carlos Henrique Casemiro surprisingly made his debut in what was a much- changed Madrid side and Karanka was delighted with how the 21-year-old and Real Madrid Castilla teammate Nacho coped throughout.
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"Casemiro is a player that has played in the first division in Brazil and has been a world champions at under-20 level. Moreover, we had players out injured and the kid has done pretty well. He has given everything.
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"Nacho always comes through when we need him and in Castilla he is performing as a captain and a leader."
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However, the real star of the show was Ozil with his double and Karanka is hoping those goals will be the perfect boost to his confidence ahead of the meeting against his countrymen in midweek.
Even with the injuries they will still do greatly because they still have capable players to carry out the job
Jose Mourinho has lots of enemies there so I would advice him to quit the job after this season. Real Madrid is not the place for him..
I can't wait for Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid this wednesday. That is the game i'd love to watch. So many fantastic players