Real Madrid returned to the top of the LaLiga standings after beating Granada 2-0 on Saturday evening.
LaLiga
Result: Real Madrid 2-0 Granada
Date: 02 December 2023
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Madrid made only one change following their thrashing of Napoli in the UEFA Champions League, as Joselu took the place of Dani Ceballos and joined Rodrygo as leading strikers, in the absence of Vinicius Junior.
Los Blancos had a quick start, as they threatened to get an early goal but Granada were also dangerous on transitions and set-pieces in the last third.
However, Brahim Diaz eventually broke the deadlock for Carlo Ancelotti's charges on 26 minutes with a close-range finish in the box after he was teed up by Toni Kroos.
Madrid settled better in the game after that, as they controlled the tempo of the game and they pinned Granada back in and around their box but they could not get the second goal, as they went to the break with a narrow 1-0 lead.
The hosts continued where they left off coming from the break and after knocking on the door, Rodrygo eventually doubled their lead just before the hour-mark with a volleyed finish at the back post from a rebound after goalkeeper Andre Ferreira parried Jude Bellingham's shot on his path.
Ancelotti looked to control the game by crowding the midfield with 20 minutes to go, as Ceballos replaced Joselu.
Madrid were threatening to kill off the game on counter-attacks after that as five minutes later Federico Valverde came close with shot unmarked at the box that was brilliantly repelled by Ferreira.
Granada had a late surge of performance in the dying minutes, as they put Los Blancos under pressure but Madrid had already slowed down their tempo and held on to a comfortable win.
Ancelotti's men climbed up to the top of the log on goal difference, as they are equal on points with Girona and extended their lead over fourth-placed Barcelona, who have a game in hand, to seven points.
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