✍️ Summary of the game:
Real Madrid were dominant throughout the game, opening the score rather early. Asensio beat the goalkeeper easily after a through ball from Kroos. Toni went on to assist Nacho as the defender was left free inside the opposing penalty box following a corner played short.
Granada got back into the game soon after, as Luis Suarez's shot from outside the box took a deflection, thus sending Courtois the wrong way. The Whites went to break with a narrow margin.
After the break, though, Ancelotti's men were unstoppable, creating a handful of chances before Vini finally got the third. He slid the ball in after Modric's pass to an open goal. Mendy's right-footed goal was the icing on the cake, with Casemiro providing the assist.
The amazing attacking performance aside, Real Madrid were really solid defensively after the break as well. Granada barely created any chances, and the only decent shot they had on goal (a header from Molina) was skilfully saved by Courtois.
With the three points in the bag, Real Madrid are again on top of La Liga.
⏰ Full-time!
⏱️ 86-90+: Rodrygo attempts a shot at the near post but it is saved by Maximiano. Courtois makes a huge save to deny a header. Granada looking to get a goal towards the end but Thibaut comes in clutch once again to save a shot from outside the box.
auctus10 (Reddit): "Really happy to see Dani healthy and balling out in the field. Nights day difference in having a pure right-back like him vs having a makeshift right-back in Lucas playing."
MadridXtra (Twitter): "Really impressive cameo from Rodrygo!"
🔄 Sub: Vallejo ON | Alaba OFF
⏱️ 81-85': A corner comes into Madrid's box but it is safely cleared away. Real Madrid calm down at last and focus on control.
Paul_Tenorio (Twitter): "Madrid is the best team (and squad) in La Liga, just like last season. Whether or not they will be the champions will also depend on many other factors, some unrelated."
🔄 Subs: Camavinga, Isco, Jovic ON | Kroos, Modric, Benzema OFF
⏱️ 77-80': Granada attempt a rare attack but offside is called. Despite being three goals up, Real Madrid continue pushing high, although without any clear chances.
⚽ 76' GOAL! Mendy with a clinical right-footed finish after Casemiro makes a defence-splitting pass.
AndiOnrubia (Twitter): "Ferland Mendy uses his right foot better than his left. It's very rare."
TuTranquilo (Reddit): "Look at the list of goalscorers, whole team on fire today."
⏱️ 71-75': Rodrygo finds Karim with a backheel pass but his shot is blocked. Granada unable to do anything about Madrid's dominance and have even given up their pressing game. Rodrygo then misses a one-on-one as Benzema returns the favour.
RealMadridXtra (Twitter): "That was a really fantastic decision from Carlo by subbing off Vinicius who was still getting targeted by the opposition."
🔄 Sub: Rodrygo ON | Vinicius Junior OFF
⏱️ 66-70': Monchu gets sent off after a tackle on Vinicius as the Brazilian manages to breeze past several defenders. The winger later gets a shot on target after a headed pass from Benzema.
NieThePiet (Reddit): "He just wanted to stop and injure Vini. Finally something like this is punished with a red."
MarioCortegana (Twitter): "What Vini is doing is football porn."
⏱️ 61-65': Luis Suarez skies his shot from the edge of the box. Madrid get a set-piece but nothing comes out of it.
sahibosaurus (Reddit): "I love what Carlo has done with Vini and Asensio. Unbelievable stuff."
⏱️ 57-60': Real Madrid continue dominating possession in the hope to widen the margin. Asensio manages an impressing trick in Granada's penalty box but with no continuation.
⚽ 56' GOAL! Vini taps the ball in after a brilliant counter from Real Madrid. Benzema finds Modric free in the box as Luka passes it to the Brazilian to an open net.
XavsFutbol (Twitter): "Vinicius with what feels like his 30th goal of the season. Such an inevitable player. Life is being made so easy with players like him, Benzema and Modric on the pitch. What a goal."
TheBlank5 (Reddit): "Credit to Benz there, easily could've taken the shot there to try and reverse his otherwise subpar game today. Perfect pass."
⏱️ 51-55': Kroos first-touch shot from outside the box goes inches wide after Vini manages to steal the ball from a Granada defender. Mendy makes a good run and manages to enter the box but his weak-foot shot misses the target.
Benzema then gets a one-on-one chance, tries to dribble past the keeper and losses the ball to the defender. Offside is called but it's unclear whether there was one.
LewsTherin177 (Reddit): "Benz having an off day. Two over hit passes to Vini in the box which should have been goals if they were played right. Frustrating."
nueverole (Twitter): "Carlo Ancelotti is having both Kroos and Modric push high up the pitch against the Granada RCM and LCM respectively. Very risky tactic since they cannot cannot games with the press once the aggression dies down. Madrid need the match sewn up with another goal by the 60th minute."
⏱️ 46-50': The Whites appear to be looking for the third, with Vini active upfront. Carvajal tries his luck from outside the box but does not hit the target.
fernandes_r07 (Reddit): "Jesus almost all players who came back from international duty are underperforming."
⏰ Second half starts here!
📝 Here are our half-time ratings:
Impressed: Kroos 9, Asensio 8.5, Modric 8, Nacho 8.
Good/decent: Benzema 7, Casemiro 7, Courtois 6.5, Alaba 6.5, Mendy 6, Carvajal 6.
Poor: Vinicius 5.5
✍️ Brief summary of the game so far:
Real Madrid started the game well, controlling the ball and pressing high. The visitors were able to open the score rather early after Kroos found Asensio with a good through ball. Although the goalkeeper got his hand on the ball, he could not stop it from going in.
Madrid's second goal came minutes later. Modric and Kroos combined well after a corner kick and Toni found Nacho completely free inside the goalkeeper's box. A really easy finish for the defender.
Granada retaliated quickly, though, as they upped their intensity after the second goal. Luis Suarez was able to score thanks to a deflection off of Nacho. Vini is perhaps the one at fault as he gave the ball away too easily on his own half.
Both Granada and Real Madrid had clear scoring chances towards the end of the first 45 miuntes.
⏰ Half-time!
⏱️ 41-45': The teams are playing with virtually no midfield. Madrid pull off a vertical attack but Mendy misses the last pass. Benzema beats several defenders but his shot from inside the penalty box is saved. Suarez attempts a half-volley but cannot properly connect and the shot goes wide.
migquintana: "Ferland Mendy's movements are very good but he is limited in terms of technical ability. Every touch of his is like a game of roulette."
Fgehjss (Reddit): "Vini has a terrible game. Sub at half time please. No need to let him struggle for 45 minutes more."
⏱️ 36-40': Granada looking for the second as Courtois has to make an intervention after a deflected header from Casemiro. A follow-up shot goes into the side net.
deeplovingotter (Reddit): "Vini and Benz need a break pretty bad. Hope Carlo subs them off before the 89th min."
⚽ 35' Goal: Luis Suarez puts Granada back into the game as his shot takes a deflection off of Nacho and sends Courtois the wrong way. Poor from Vinicius who lost the ball on his own half.
AdityaQuadros (Twitter): "Courtois deserves better than this nonsense."
VictorAkwaowo1 (Reddit): "Cruel deflection, time to get a couple of more goals to put this away now."
⏱️ 31-34': Asensio close to getting his brace but the Granada player makes a crucial goalline clearance.
andywest01 (Twitter): "Something Real Madrid have done well since Cristiano left is spread the scoring around the team. Benzema is obviously the main man but lots more chip in regularly. 11 different scorers this season already"
⏱️ 26-30': Granada pushing high after the two conceded goal but cannot create a clear-cut chance. A cross camos into Real Madrid's box but Nacho heads it away.
RamezMadrid (Reddit): "Everyone complaining about Asensio and Nacho starting and they both score lol."
⚽ 25' GOAL!: Nacho makes it 2-0 as he finishes from inside the penalty box. A beautiful combination between Kroos and Modric following the corner kick to set the goal up.
migquintana (Twitter): "Two different errors from Antonio Puertas, two perfect assists from Toni Kroos and two goals from Real Madrid. Very simple for Ancelotti's team."
dashunden23 (Reddit): "I'd take scoring 1-2 more goals in the first half, sub out all the key players, defend and call it a day for the next crucial fixtures."
⚽ 18' GOAL!: Asensio opens the score with a right-footed finish after Kroos finds him with a through ball.
rodrygolazo (Twitter): "GIVE THAT MAN WHATEVER HE WANTS, PUT THE CONTRACT ON THE TABLE, LET HIM WRITE ANY NUMBER HE WANTS, MARCO ASENSIO IS BACK!"
Ok-Paleontologist275 (Reddit): "Asensio >> Hazard, not even a debate."
TheRealChamps (Twitter): "That is hilariously bad defending from Granada. They have a lot of mistakes in them, and Real Madrid knew that coming in. Great job by Asensio to take on the initiative and punish them."
⏱️ 11-15': Vinicius attempts a shot from outside the box but it goes straight into the keeper's hands. Granada sitting in a deep block as Real Madrid control the ball.
lightgang (Reddit): "Our right side is dead as always."
DoctorT_RM (Twitter): "Granada are so aggressive man."
⏱️ 6-10': Granada respond with a quick counter but Alaba intervenes with a great clearance. Modric tries to send Vinicius through but offside is called.
TheRealChamps (Twitter): "Vinicius Junior went from being the guy his teammates were hesitant to pass it to, to the guy whom they look to find first!"
ProudhPratapPurandar (Reddit): "Why did he raise the flag so early, absolutely incompetent refs."
⏱️ 1-5': Real Madrid get the ball under control from the get-go. A half-chance raises but Benzema's header is too weak to pose any danger.
blackmushh (Reddit): "Modric is looking like he wants a goal today!"
⏰ Kick-off!
👉 Starting XI reminder
Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Nacho, Alaba, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
Granada XI: Maximiano - Quini, Diaz, Sanchez, Neva - Rochina, Gonalons, Monchu - Puertas, Suarez, Soro.
👋Hello everyone! Welcome to Tribuna.com's live coverage of the La Liga match between Granada and Real Madrid. What are your thoughts ahead of the clash? Let's hear them in the comments👇
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