This match against Granada played out just as expected as Real Madrid ruled for much part of the game but a nonchalant act from Goal Keeper Areola in the second half relieved them of the freedom they were enjoying but they ended up with the three points, all thanks to individual brilliance.
Real Madrid coach, Zinedine Zidane as usual decided not to take any risk as he fielded what he felt was his best eleven available to combat a Granada side that are yet to lose a game this season.
Without an available left back in the team as Marcelo, Mendy and Nacho are all out through injury, I expected Zidane to revert to his tested pre season 3-5-2 formation, instead the French coach opted for a makeshift left back in Carvajal while Alvaro Odriozola replaced the Spaniard in right back.
Sergio Ramos partnered Raphael Varane while Alphonse Areola replaced the unavailable Courtois in between the sticks.
The midfield was where Zidane made the most significant inclusion. Knowing full well how dangerous Granada can be on the pitch, the French coach opted for a three defensive minded midfielders in Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Fede Valverde.
The attack witnessed Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale flanking Karim Benzema.
How it Happened
It took less than 60 seconds for Real Madrid to open the scoring as Gareth Bale produced a marvelous outside of the boot pass to Karim Benzema who was alone at the other side of the 18 yard box and the striker made no mistake in poking the ball home.
The whites continued bossing possession and Granada did much of the chasing without producing a real attacking threat. Several times Real Madrid came very close to increasing their lead, twice through Dani Carvajal but the defender would only play into the keeper’s wish.
It took until first half injury time for Hazard to increase their lead by two after Fede Valverde who has been a monster all afternoon in his bid to press high up the pitch intercepted a mistake from the Granada defense and chipped a lovely ball to Hazard who produced an amazing finish with a lob. That was the Belgian’s first league goal of the season, more to come from the Belgian.
The second half began in the same manner the first half was played, Granada did much of the chasing and Real Madrid produced more progressive displays. The difference in class was laid bare and it was made the more apparent when Hazard laid a pass for Luka Modric who in turn released a rocket from 30 yards out and into the top corner of the net to make it 3-0.
The match looked done and dusted from there and just when Real Madrid were preparing to calm their nerves and see out the match calmly, Areola lost it at the goal post, producing an unprofessional display with the ball at his feet after his team mate laid it out to him. He tried to dance around with the Granada striker lurking around him and in a bid to finally kick the ball out, he kicked the leg of the opponent instead and conceded a penalty which was converted.
That goal increased the confidence of the Granada players a bit as they sought to score more and 12 minutes to the end, they scored from a corner set piece.
That second goal from Granada sparked an outrage from the fans and Real Madrid resorted to defending their one goal lead. In the series of attacking waves from Granada, Alvaro Zoom Odriozola who ran to and fro all afternoon embarked on another solo run which ended with him crossing for James Rodriguez to score his first Real Madrid goal since returning from Bayern Munich.
Conclusion
There were so many positives to take from this match for Real Madrid. The likes of Hazard scoring his first league goal, James once again being a nuisance to Granada, Alvaro Odriozola making his darting runs very important today. Casemiro feeling safe with Valverde beside him and Modric scoring a golazo again after a very long time.
The aforementioned happenings are just the few positive takeaways from the team. There are also negative takeaways, the likes of Areola gambling away his opportunity to keep another clean sheet which will all the more bring fans to his side which almost cost the team three valuable points and other notes.
Coach Zinedine Zidane will very much be happy with this win for it wasn’t for Areola’s gamble, this very much would have been a comfortable win but all the same, a win, is a win.
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