Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane says he is worried more about injuries than the form of his star players after an unconvincing 2-1 win at home to Malaga on Saturday.
Luka Modric and Marcelo joined a lengthy injury list during the match, which saw Madrid end a three-game winless run in all competitions.
Zidane picked his strongest available XI, and Sergio Ramos' scored twice from set-pieces before half-time to apparently set his side on the way to a straightforward three points.
But Malaga got one back after the break through Juanpi, and there were some whistles and groans at missed opportunities from Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema as Madrid managed just a narrow win against a Malaga side which had not won since November.
After midfielder Modric and left-back Marcelo had both limped off with muscle problems, joining Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez, Dani Carvajal, Pepe, Danilo and Fabio Coentrao as currently unavailable, the Los Blancos coach told his postmatch news conference that he was happy for Ramos scoring again but his main emotion was concern at two more injury issues.
"We know what Sergio brings us at set-pieces," Zidane said. "He was phenomenal today with the two goals. We are happy with his two goals. But I am a bit upset with the injuries. We have many games but in the end my mood is a bit screwed. We have a big game on Wednesday."
Marcelo was holding his hamstring after limping off in the first half, while Modric also has a muscle problem of as-yet-unknown seriousness.
"Luka has an issue, we hope it is not serious," Zidane. "We will see tomorrow with a scan. We don't know the exact problem yet."
Benzema was whistled when substituted late on, while Ronaldo was also subject to regular grumbles from the crowd as he missed a string of what for him were straightforward chances to score.
"What we need is calm from the fans," Zidane said. "Until now we have been more than phenomenal. Sometimes, when you have difficulties, we need help from the fans who are behind us.
"I am not criticising the fans, who pay for their tickets. But sometimes, over the season, with many games, many injuries, the players need some affection, and the coach too. We must have patience.
"Karim and Cristiano have scored goals, maybe not in the last games, but I am not worried about that."
When Marcelo and then Modric went off it was a surprise that right-back Danilo, who was on the bench, was not called upon. Zidane said the Brazil international, who snubbed his coach when being substituted in the midweek Copa defeat against Celta Vigo, had been injured and not ignored.
"Danilo had a fitness issue after training yesterday and he could not play," he said. "He was on the bench but, with Marcelo and then Luka, I did not want to put him in at not-100 percent. He wanted to, but it would not have been right.
"Fabio Coentrao has a problem too, and Castilla are not here [this weekend] so we could not call up one of their players."