Real Madrid defeat Granada 2-0
Rodrygo maintained his excellent goal-scoring form on Saturday, helping Real Madrid defeat Granada 2-0 and take back the top spot in La Liga. On a calm evening in the capital, Girona, the Catalan minnows, temporarily took the lead after defeating Valencia 2-1, but Madrid eventually moved back above them on goal difference.
At the Santiago Bernabeu, Brahim Diaz gave the score a boost halfway through the first half, and Rodrygo doubled the lead after 57 minutes. Despite a number of absences, the Brazilian forward has scored seven goals in his past five games across all competitions. His arrival coincidentally has kept Real Madrid’s impressive start to the season rolling.
Real Madrid is without a number of important players due to injuries, including winger Vinicius Junior and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. But Los Blancos had more than enough to defeat the Andalucians, who were fighting for their 19th place and relegation. Ancelotti told reporters, “(Rodrygo) has returned to his best level, scoring a lot of goals.”
The coach saved some appreciation for midfielder Toni Kroos, whose deft ball set up Diaz’s first goal. “He doesn’t give balls away, he always chooses the best option, he’s a midfielder who wants the ball,” said Ancelotti. “He is not afraid and he positions himself very well, it’s his biggest virtue, his control too … when he doesn’t play, he’s irreplaceable.”
Without generating too many opportunities, Real Madrid seized control of the game fast. After 26 minutes, Diaz was placed in on goal by Kroos’ excellent pass, and he maintained his composure to delicately nuzzle home and put Madrid ahead. It was the former playmaker for Manchester City’s second goal in as many games, demonstrating his ability to assist the hot Rodrygo in closing the gap created by Vinicius’ injury.
“We played the football that we know, it was a nearly perfect game, we dominated the match and they created very few chances against us,” Diaz stated on Real Madrid TV. Just before halftime, Jude Bellingham, who leads La Liga in goals scored with 11, had a chance to add another but scuffed his attempt across goal, causing the ball to go wide.
Joselu and Diaz worked well as a team to set up Bellingham for Madrid’s second goal. The midfielder was denied by Granada goalkeeper Andre Ferreira, but Rodrygo raced onto the rebound and scored just before the hour mark; he has now scored in five straight games. On Sunday, third-place Atletico Real Madrid and fourth-place Barcelona will square off in an attempt to close the seven-point gap between them and the top two.
Girona had produced a stunning comeback to guarantee they would not lose any more championship points following a Monday draw with Athletic Bilbao. With less than ten minutes remaining, Girona, behind Hugo Duro’s 56th-minute goal, eventually cracked Valencia’s defense with a brace from seasoned striker Cristhian Stuani.
The crowd at Girona’s modest Montilivi stadium went berserk as Stuani equalized after 82 minutes and bundled home another with two minutes remaining. Both goals were set up by Yan Couto crosses. Girona were headed for just their second loss of the year after giving up two points in a draw with Athletic Bilbao to begin the week.
Although Valencia’s goal was to frustrate, substitutes Stuani and Couto impressed right out of the bench. “I’m very happy for the team, for the fight that we had with the scoreline against us,” Stuani stated to DAZN. “Valencia set up very well, so the team did not allow themselves to give up. We kept trying, we locked them in their box, and in the end, the goals arrived.”
Girona has only been in the top flight for four seasons, yet they never cease to amaze. “Girona move you around, they play with you, they are a magnificent team and there’s a reason why they are first,” Duro stated to DAZN. Athletic Bilbao secured fifth place with a 4-0 thumping of Rayo Vallecano, while Real Sociedad, in sixth place, was held by Osasuna with a 1-1 result.
Girona coach Michel told reporters, “It’s good to recognize that we are making history; it can’t be something normal that we’ve taken 12 wins from 15 games.” “I only ask that in the bad moments we are united, I keep thinking that – Real Madrid, Barca, Atleti, is not our league – we will not keep up this rhythm, and we should all be sure about that.”
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