Real Madrid welcomed Granada to the Bernabeu on Saturday knowing that three points would move them temporarily to the top of the La Liga table.
Both sides had chances in an end-to-end and entertaining first period, but neither could make the breakthrough in the opening 45 minutes.
Real Madrid took the lead in the 55th minute when Karim Benzema headed home from close range and that proved to be the only goal of the contest in the Spanish capital.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome Granada. Victory for Los Blancos here would temporarily move them to the top of the table, but Barcelona would regain that spot with three points tomorrow evening. It is a tough ask for Granada to stop this Real Madrid machine, which is just starting to gather pace.
The omens are not exactly great for Granada this afternoon, having lost on 18 of their last 21 league visits to the Bernabeu, recording just one win in the process. They were also thumped 9-1 in this stadium last season, in addition to losing 4-0 to the capital side at home. Shocks can of course happen, but it is difficult to see anything other than a comfortable home win to start Week Four.
Rafael Benitez's Real Madrid opened their new La Liga campaign with a disappointing 0-0 draw at newly-promoted Sporting Gijon, but they have started to find some serious form in recent weeks. Their first home league game of the new season brought a 5-0 win over Real Betis, before they thumped Espanyol 6-0 away from home last time out. As a result, they sit second in the table on seven points.
Unsurprisingly, Barcelona are the early pace-setters in La Liga, with the Catalan outfit winning all three of their league matches this season, including a 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid last time out. Benitez's task is to wrestle the title away from Luis Enrique's team, but they cannot afford any slip-ups in these type of fixtures. Incidentally, Barcelona face Levante tomorrow evening. Still no team news from either camp!
Real Madrid were also in Champions League action during the week and once again Cristiano Ronaldo stole the show with a hat-trick in a 4-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk. The Portuguese became the club's all-time leading scorer in the league last weekend and the all-time leading scorer in the Champions League on Tuesday. Not a bad seven days for the 30-year-old if I may say so. But does he start today?
In terms of what is to come for Real Madrid, they will travel to Athletic Bilbao for a tricky fixture on Wednesday evening, before hosting Malaga next weekend. Their next Champions League match then occurs away to Swedish side Malmo, before they travel to Atletico Madrid at the start of October.
I am not entirely sure what is happening, but we still have no team news from either camp...
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TEAMS
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Isco; Ronaldo, Benzema, Vasquez
GRANADA: To follow.
So there we have it. Real Madrid are without the services of Danilo, Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale, who are all injured. The big news in the home camp is that there is a first Real Madrid start in the league for Lucas Vasquez, who spent last season on loan at Espanyol. Toni Kroos also starts despite calls for the German to be given a rest, while Raphael Varane is passed fit.
Still waiting for Granada! Real Madrid, as mentioned, have found the back of the net 11 times already in the league this season, but they have also still not conceded. The last time that they opened a league season with four straight clean sheets was back in the 1975-76 campaign. It is also worth remembering that Los Blancos actually lost two of their first three league matches last season.
Home form was not a problem for Real Madrid in the league last season – winning 16 of their 19 games and only losing once. They lost five times on the road, however, which ultimately cost them the chance to win the title. Barcelona drew such praise for their title-winning season and rightly so, but Real Madrid did only finish two points off the leaders, which is a fact often overlooked.
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As for Granada, they survived in La Liga last season by the skin of their teeth. It went to the final weekend of the campaign and only goal difference saw them finish ahead of Eibar in 17th position. That said, as it turned out, Granada would still have been saved if they had finished 18th, with Elche's financial problems seeing them drop out of Spain's top flight and Eibar reinstated.
Away form was a serious problem for Granada last season, with just three wins from their 19 games and 12 defeats, while they only scored 16 times on their travels. It has been a disappointing few years for Granada, who have finished 17th, 15th, 15th and 17th in their last four seasons in La Liga and they are expected to face another difficult campaign this time around.
TEAMS
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Isco; Ronaldo, Benzema, Vasquez
GRANADA: Andres; Lopes, Doria, Lomban, Biraghi; Krhin, Marquez; Success, Rochina, Edgar; El-Arabi
The Granada team has finally landed! The visitors are still without the services of Piti, but Youssef El-Arabi is fit to lead the line. There are also spots in the XI for Edgar Mendez and Ruben Rochina, while Isacc Success certainly has the pace to cause the hosts some problems.
Granada were beaten 3-1 at home by Eibar on in their league opener on August 24, but responded with a 2-1 win at Getafe. Another 3-1 home defeat occurred last time out, however, with Villarreal claiming all three points. As a result, Jose Ramon Sandoval's side currently sit 11th in the table.
In terms of what is ahead for Granada, it is an important few weeks. After this one, they will host struggling Real Sociedad on Tuesday evening, before travelling to Valencia on Friday. Next come back-to-back games against Deportivo La Coruna and Sporting Gijon – two teams that are also expected to face difficult seasons. Granada really need to pick up points from the sides around them.
All matters seem to point to a Real Madrid win this afternoon, but Granada have won all three of their league games under new boss Sandoval, which is their best ever run on the road in their top-flight history. Indeed, under Sandoval, Granada collected 10 points from four games at the end of last season and thus far managed to finish outside of the relegation zone. Right, prediction time!
PREDICTION! To be honest, I am finding it very difficult to make a case for Granada this afternoon. The visitors, who will be skippered by Rochina, have plenty of talented players in their team, but at home, Real Madrid should have far too much on the afternoon. My prediction is 3-0 Real Madrid.
Little over five minutes until kickoff this afternoon and there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. Not to mention that the sun is shining - let's hope for a good game to match!
Both sets of players have joined us on the pitch for the first period at the Bernabeu. Just a quick reminder that Atletico Madrid will be in action later this evening against in-form Eibar. Our coverage of that one will start at around 6.30PM UK time - be sure to follow that one as well!
KICK OFF! The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Game time - it is the home side that get the first 45 minutes of action underway here...
... as expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with Granada already showing that they will operate with a deep defensive line. You sense that the visitors will need to start well if they are to stand a chance this afternoon.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the early moments here, but Real Madrid are in complete control of the possession. Carvajal looks to escape down the right, but Javi Marquez is across to fell the Spanish international. Granada just cannot get out of their half at the moment.
Real Madrid manage to break the lines of the Granada defence as Modric slides a super pass towards Benzema, but the Frenchman was just in an offside position. Granada break down the other end with Success moments later, but the pacey forward cannot escape Marcelo.
CHANCE! The first real opportunity of the match comes to the visitors as Edgar Mendez finds space down the left before whipping a wonderful cross towards Success, but the forward cannot make contact. Real Madrid quickly regain the ball, however, and continue to pass and probe.
Benzema has been nice and bright for Real Madrid in the early moments here, with the Frenchman causing problems with his clever moment. Success, however, is troubling the Real Madrid defence down the other end. The Granada forward attempts to run past Pepe, but the challenge is made.
Half-chance for the home side as Benzema drives down the left before cutting a pass into the run of Isco, but Lopes is back to make the challenge. The resulting corner is delivered by Modric, but once again the danger is cleared to Success, who just cannot evade Pepe at this time of asking.
Success's pace has been the story of Granada's threat inside the opening 14 minutes, while Real Madrid have been in control of the possession without really threatening to take the lead. Isco has the chance to rest Andres Fernandez from outside the box, but it was a fairly comfortable save.
Real Madrid are still very much in control of the possession at the Bernabeu, but Granada have been nice and tight at the back and have been able to resist all of the danger thus far in Madrid.
CHANCE! Best chance of the game for Real Madrid as Isco slides a super pass into Ronaldo, who attempts to find the bottom corner, but Andres makes a really smart save down low!
GOAL DISALLOWED! Granada have the ball in the back of the net as El-Arabi converts a low cross from Success, but the linesman had his flag raised. It was a very tight call indeed!
CHANCE! It is all happening now as Andres Fernandez spills a powerful Ronaldo free kick to the feet of Vasquez, but the Granada stopper gets to his feet to make a super stop once again!
Having had a second and indeed third look at that disallowed goal for Granada, the visitors have every right to be aggrieved with the decision. El-Arabi did seem level with the cross from Success! Real Madrid continue to threaten as Pepe meets a corner from the right, but his effort is too high.
The moment where Granada scored. Not offside. Lucky us! pic.twitter.com/YUldABOPkI
— SocialRMadrid (@SocialRMadrid) September 19, 2015
Another opportunity for the visitors as Lopes meets a super Rochina free kick, but his header is straight at Navas from close range. End-to-end football with 26 minutes on the clock here.
Well, it is a case of so far, so good for Granada, who have kept Real Madrid out for almost two thirds of this first period. Real Madrid remain in control of the possession, but the visitors have been very dangerous with their pace in the final third. Fascinating watch in Madrid here.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for the home side as Benzema collects a fine pass from Isco before facing up to Andres Fernandez, but it is another excellent stop from the Granada goalkeeper.
The referee is allowing the play to flow here, which is creating an end-to-end contest. There has still not been a yellow card despite some tasty challenges, but that is good for the game. It is a very hot afternoon in Madrid and both sets of players have a quick break to take on some fluid!
SAVE! Oh my word! It is the best save of the lot! Modric just has to score for Real Madrid after being set up by Ronaldo inside the box, but Andres makes a stunning save with his feet!
Granada are living a charmed life at the moment, with their goalkeeper having a super first period. That, coupled with the fact that they are now struggling down the other end, means that Real Madrid are in full control. The visitors have a penalty shout when Success tumbles, but no says the referee.
Real Madrid now have a penalty shout of their own as Vasquez goes down under contact from Doria, but the referee is once again not interested. Still goalless with 35 minutes played here.
BOOKING! Edgar Mendez (Granada) is booked for a late challenge on Marcelo.
Granada defender David Lomban does not look comfortable here after hitting the deck in a challenge with Benzema, but it does appear that the Spaniard will be fit to continue.
Ronaldo hits the post for Real Madrid following a super cross from Carvajal, but it would not have counted, with the Portuguese in an offside position. Still goalless at the Bernabeu this afternoon.
I am not entirely sure what Success had for breakfast this morning, but he is causing Real Madrid all sorts of problems at the moment. The attacker again drives into the Real Madrid box, but Navas comes out to claim at the vital moment. Granada are back in this game as an attacking threat.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the home side as Isco finds himself unmarked at the far post before curling one towards the top corner, but it swings just wide of the goal!
Can Granada resist the pressure in the latter stages of the half? They are holding on now...
... BOOKING! Isco (Real Madrid) is booked for a late tackle on Krhin.
Lopes fires over the Real Madrid crossbar following loose defending from the hosts.
Ronaldo comes close to meeting a chipped through ball from Benzema, but it was just too strong for the Portuguese and it appears that Granada will enter the break on level terms here.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 0-0 Granada
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. It has been a very entertaining half of football despite the lack of goals, however, with both teams having chances. Granada have actually had the ball in the back of the net through El-Arabi, but the linesman had his flag raised after Success found his forward. Replays showed that he was level!
STATS! Real Madrid have dominated the possession with 68%, while they have had 10 attempts - six of which were on target. As for Granada, who have been impressive, they have hit the target with two of their three attempts and as mentioned, also had a goal disallowed. There have been a few tasty challenges as well and the referee has shown one card to each team thus far.
BENCH WATCH! Real Madrid are without some key players through injury, but Benitez still has plenty of options on his bench in the shape of Cheryshev, Jese and Kovacic. Granada, meanwhile, have the likes of Bifouma, Ibanez and Foulquier in reserve. Will we see any changes at the break?
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Can Granada cause a shock this afternoon? The visitors resume the action in Madrid...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will already have alterations in mind if the score remains level.
I suspect that the message from Benitez at the break was to keep working the ball into the Granada box and that has been the case in the early moments of this half. Ronaldo eventually tries his luck, but Andres Fernandez is again on hand to make the save. How good has he been!
A breakaway from Granada again causes Real Madrid problems, but El-Arabi just cannot slide a pass into Success, who had found all sorts of space. Isco is down the other end moments later, but his curling effort is wide of the post. Well, the interval has not harmed the tempo of this game!
I still fully expect Real Madrid to win this game and in truth, they cannot afford too many dropped points at this stage of the season. Barcelona have won three from three thus far and Real Madrid have already dropped two points against Sporting Gijon. That is the demand of La Liga football!
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Granada to take the lead as a wonderful flick from El-Arabi sends Success through, but the attacker can only lift his effort wide of Navas's post!
Granada were thumped 9-1 in this fixture last season, but they have been excellent in the opening 54 minutes of this one. Real Madrid are still in control of the possession, but Granada are dangerous each time they break into the final third. Still goalless with around 35 minutes remaining.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Granada (Benzema)
And there is the goal! Real Madrid take the lead in the 55th minute as Benzema has the simple task of heading a super Isco cross into the back of the net from close range. Harsh on Granada!
You cannot afford to miss chances at the Bernabeu and Granada have been made to pay. The home supporters are now in full voice and this could get worse for the visitors as play progresses.
Still no movement on either bench, but we are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes. Ronaldo has another half-chance for the home side after meeting a corner form the right, but his header is straight into the arms of the Granada stopper.
CHANCE! Sensational chance for Granada as El-Arabi dances into the Real Madrid box before attempting to slide one into the bottom corner, but Navas makes a wonderful save!
GRANADA SUB! Ibanez replaces Success, which is a surprise.
REAL MADRID SUB! Mateo Kovacic replaces Kroos for the hosts.
Granada are still very much in this game as we enter the final 25 minutes and on balance, they deserve to be level at this stage of proceedings. Real Madrid might have been in control of the possession for long spells, but the visitors have been very dangerous on a number of occasions.
SAVE! Ronaldo hammers one towards the bottom corner after finding space outside the box, but Andres Fernandez is on hand to make another super save. What a performance!
CLOSE! Ronaldo again comes close for the home side after driving into the Granada box, but his low strike was always swinging away from the post. One-way traffic at the moment!
GRANADA SUB! Fran Rico replaces Rochina.
You sense that there is another goal coming as Real Madrid continue to threaten and I think it would be fair to say that a second for the hosts would kill off Granada's hopes of a comeback.
Real Madrid again threaten as Benzema works the ball into Carvajal, who delivers a dangerous low cross, but Doria is on hand to clear over the crossbar. Little under 20 minutes remaining here.
BOOKING! Marquez (Granada) is booked for a late challenge on Vasquez.
Real Madrid have a free kick in a dangerous area as Lopes fells Isco...
... Ronaldo takes, but his effort is straight into the wall.
Granada are still threatening as we enter the final 15 minutes here, with El-Arabi's movement causing problems to Varane, who has not had the most comfortable game this afternoon.
GRANADA SUB: Nico Lopez replaces Edgar Mendez.
REAL MADRID SUB: Cheryshev replaces Benzema.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but Granada are still committing players each time they manage to break forward. In truth, a 1-0 defeat at Real Madrid would be seen as a brilliant result, but they will feel that they deserve something in terms of points.
Another penalty shout for Real Madrid as Isco goes down inside the box following a strong challenge from El-Arabi, but the referee is not interested. That looked a spot kick to me!
Cheryshev and Vasquez take it in turns to deliver from wide areas, but Granada manage to clear their lines once again. Little over five minutes remaining and the score is still 1-0 Real Madrid.
CHANCE! Super chance for the home side to score a second as Cheryshev is first to react to a punch from Andres Fernandez, but the Russian's low attempt is just wide of the post!
REAL MADRID SUB! Isco is replaced by Casemiro.
Real Madrid have another penalty shout as Ronaldo attempts to meet a through pass from Modric, but Doria's challenge, which was strong, is deemed fair by the referee. Still 1-0 to the hosts here.
Granada have a free kick in a very good area here...
... Marquez takes, but his effort smashes into the wall.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes in Madrid.
Real Madrid remain in control of the possession as we approach the final moments of this match. Granada are heading for a defeat, but to a man, they have been excellent at the Bernabeu.
Ronaldo is still giving his all for the home side, but it does appear that the Portuguese will have to wait to pass the scoring record for Real Madrid. Granada have possession as it stands.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 1-0 Granada
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period at the Bernabeu to a close with Real Madrid running out 1-0 winners courtesy of that header from Benzema early in the second period. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action from Madrid. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
