Spanish giant, Real Madrid have the La Liga title within their grasp after a 2 – 1 victory over Granada in their Monday (July 13) fixture.
Some had circled the game against Granada as the biggest test Real Madrid had left on the calendar, however, Villarreal May pose a threat as the final hurdle.
After coming away with a big victory, Real Madrid are just one win away (and possibly less) from the 34th league title of their rich history.
Club manager Zidane opted to start the game without any pure wingers. He’s done this before this season, and it’s had mixed results.
The scheme of five central midfielders suffocated Valencia with possession and counter-pressing; but it suffered against a more aggressive defensive team in Atletico.
In the first half of the game, it was beautiful for stretches. Granada defended well by doing good to cut off passing lanes in a medium block. But they ultimately broke on one sequence (and then another, and multiple more), starting with Ferland Mendy’s moment of genius.
Real Madrid played with a certain bounce after that goal — right up until half-time. The cohort of Isco, Modric, Kroos, Casemiro and Valverde played narrow defensively (which had its pros and cons, making for a disjointed press but good transition offense), and all five midfielders — in conjunction to Karim Benzema dropping deep — were able to keep tidy possession.
In the first half, Real Madrid always had an outlet available offensively. The passing was crisp, everyone got their touches, helped each other escape Granada’s press on the left side, and blitzed Granada in transition.
Real Madrid’s second goal was beautiful, and ironically stemmed from a defensive break down where the midfield was bypassed easily.
But Casemiro’s intervention ultimately saved the play, and Granada were in no position to defend Real’s counter, full of beautiful touches and movement from Modric and Isco.
Opposing team Granada scored a goal and kept pushing for an equaliser but were denied by saves from Courtois. On one occasion, a goal-line clearance came from Sergio Ramos. Ultimately, Zidane’s men pulled through, and fended off an uncomfortable finish.
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