Real Madrid will be looking to bounce back to winning ways when they lock horns with Granada in La Liga this weekend.
After the disappointment of being knocked out of the Copa del Rey in midweek, Real Madrid will be aiming to produce a strong reaction and strengthen their position at the top of the La Liga standings when they host Granada on Sunday night.
Real Madrid succumbed to a meek 1-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao earlier in the week, leading to their elimination from the Copa del Rey. The result meant that Los Blancos have failed to win their last two matches in all competitions after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Elche in the league before the international break.
With Sevilla closing down the gap to the top to just three points, Carlo Ancelotti’s men cannot afford more slip ups and will need to collect all three points on Sunday. However, it will be easier said than done against a Granada side who have secured some favourable results against big teams in recent weeks.
While they have lost their last two matches against Osasuna and Getafe, Granada held Barcelona to a 1-1 draw last month and even defeated reigning champions Atletico Madrid before Christmas. Despite the recent defeats, Robert Moreno’s side, who are 16th in the table, have shown that they can go toe-to-toe with the biggest teams and will back themselves to get a positive result from the Bernabeu.
Team News & Tactics
Real Madrid
?✅ Our squad for #RealMadridGranada! pic.twitter.com/2dVNbWrN2c
— Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) February 5, 2022
Real Madrid will again have to deal with the absence of star striker Karim Benzema, who has not recovered from his injury. Ferland Mendy and Mariano Diaz also miss out for the home team. Manager Carlo Ancelotti has called up 20-year-old Castilla striker Juanmi Latasa for the game.
After missing the cup tie due to suspension, Marcelo is back in contention, but Vinicius Junior is suspended in yet another blow. Ancelotti is unlikely to make many changes to the team that started against Athletic Club, but will demand a much better performance, especially from the midfielders who struggled to cope against the intensity of their opponents last time out.
Thibaut Courtois is expected to continue in goal, while Eder Militao and Nacho, who were among the positives in midweek, will pair up at the heart of the defence again. Out wide, Dani Carvajal should replace Lucas Vazquez, with the Spaniard’s forward forays likely to be a key attacking outlet for the capital outfit. David Alaba should continue at left-back in Mendy’s absence.
Casemiro ought to occupy the base of the midfield yet again, but Eduardo Camavinga could come into the picture if Ancelotti decides to rest the Brazilian. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are obvious picks in the remaining two spots in the centre of the park, but will need to be more proactive after poor displays against Athletic.
Marco Asensio, who played as a false-nine in midweek, should return to his favoured position on the right flank while Eden Hazard could get a rare start on the left in Vinicius’ absence. After being overlooked for the cup tie, Luka Jovic could get the nod as the centre-forward against Granada. Gareth Bale will remain as an option on the bench.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Alaba; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Asensio, Jovic, Hazard
Granada
Granada will be without Santiago Arias, who remains sidelined with an injury. But Robert Moreno could welcome Ruben Rochina back into the roster for Sunday’s trip to the capital. January signings Dani Raba, Alex Collado, Myrto Uzuni, Matias Arezo and Njegos Petrovic are all available for selection.
The visitors will line up in a 4-4-2 formation in front of goalkeeper Luis Maximiano. German Sanchez and Raul Torrente will line up at the heart of the Granada defence and look to keep the Real Madrid forwards quiet. Victor Diaz and Carlos Neva should be the two full-backs on the right and left sides respectively.
Maxime Gonalons and Luis Milla will hold the fort down in the middle of the park. The duo will largely sit behind the ball and try to stifle the influence of their Real Madrid counterparts. Barcelona loanee Alex Collado should get a run-out on the right flank, from where he will hope to cause problems to David Alaba. Antonio Puertas should feature from kickoff on the left wing.
39-year-old Jorge Molina ought to start up top alongside Luis Suarez, with January signing Arezo providing an option from the bench for the visiting team.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Maximiano; Diaz, Sanchez, Torrente, Neva; Collado, Milla, Gonalons, Puertas; Molina, Suarez
Key Stats
- Real Madrid have won their last 13 games against Granada in La Liga, scoring at least four goals in five of their previous seven matches.
- Granada have won just one of their 25 away games against Real Madrid in La Liga (D2 L22).
- Real Madrid have won just two of their last five La Liga matches (D2 L1). Los Blancos have dropped points in two of their previous three home games in the competition (W1 D2).
- Granada are winless in their last four La Liga matches (D2 L2), losing their previous two.
- Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has won all five of his La Liga meetings with Granada.
Player to Watch
Eden Hazard
?️ Ancelotti: "Hazard not fit enough? There are no issues between us, he's fit – but I have to pick my best team for every game. I preferred someone else over him." pic.twitter.com/CAecvK2fVB
— Real Madrid News (@onlyrmcfnews) February 5, 2022
With no Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior available for selection on Sunday, the spotlight will be on Eden Hazard to deliver the goods in attack for Real Madrid. After he scored in the Copa del Rey win against Elche last month, things were expected to take a turn for the better for the Belgian. But that has not been the case as he struggled in the next La Liga game against Elche and was an unused sub versus Athletic Bilbao.
His decline over the past two years has been steep and swift. But Hazard still has an opportunity to salvage his reputation with solid displays between now and the end of the season. It might not be enough for him to continue at Real Madrid, but it could help him find a top club in the summer.
Prediction
Real Madrid 2-1 Granada
Granada held their own against Barcelona last month and had got the better of Atletico Madrid before that. However, their performances in the previous two matches against Getafe and Osasuna were listless. Even though Real Madrid will be significantly weakened by the absences of Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior, they should have enough quality on the pitch to secure a much-needed victory and stretch their lead at the top of the table.
