Carlo Ancelotti has said Real Madrid's Copa del Rey draw, which puts them in the same half of the draw as both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, will make it difficult for them to reach the final this year.
Madrid easily beat neighbours Atletico in the semifinals and saw off Barca in the final as they lifted the trophy last season.
This time, they have been drawn against third-tier Cornella and will face Atletico in the round of 16 and Barcelona in the quarterfinals should they keep progressing.
Ancelotti told his Friday news conference: "It is difficult for everyone on our side of the draw, and we must accept that. It will be more difficult to reach the final than last year."
With his side facing Levante on Saturday and Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday before a clasico against Barcelona the following weekend, the Italian said he was not looking further ahead than the next match.
"We are very focused on this game," Ancelotti said. "There have been no particular problems [after the international break]. [Karim] Benzema and [Raphael] Varane have had a fever and are not available. If Varane is not available, then Nacho [Fernandez] will play in defence."
#INSERT type:image caption:Isco could come into the team as Karim Benzema sits out the match against Levante. END#
Either Javier Hernandez or Isco will come into the team to allow Benzema to rest, with Ancelotti saying that playing Cristiano Ronaldo -- who has 13 goals in his last six La Liga games -- at centre-forward was not an option.
"We will decide over the coming hours," he explained. "Cristiano is not going to change his position, although he has the quality to play in any position up front. There are moments in games when he can change, but he will usually play on the left wing."
Madrid lost at the Ciutat de Levante stadium three seasons ago, and needed injury-time winners to take all three points from their last two visits.
Levante have begun this season poorly and were beaten 5-0 at home by Barcelona last month, but Ancelotti said he was taking nothing for granted.
"I have confidence, but the game does not change -- it will be difficult," he said. "Levante, above all at home, are very strong and brave."
Germany World Cup winner Sami Khedira is back training with his teammates following six weeks out with a hamstring problem, but is not yet ready to play competitively. "[Khedira] has returned very well," the coach said. "He has recovered from his hamstring problem, and he is ready to play. But a player who has been out for 40 days is not in optimum condition, even if the injury is healed."
He also ruled out the prospect of Khedira, whose Madrid contract ends in June, leaving in January in a cut-price deal.
"We have until June to renew his contract," he explaind. "If he wants to renew the club will do that, if not he will leave at the end of the season."