Real Madrid 1-0 Granada summary: scores, goals and highlights, LaLiga
Real Madrid 1-0 Granada: as it happened
Real Madrid 1-0 Granada: match summary
Marco Asensio's second-half goal secured three points for Real Madrid as they won 1-0 at home against Granada, who put in an almost-perfect defensive performance in LaLiga on Sunday.
Asensio found a way past Granada’s defensive wall with a brilliant angled shot from outside the box. After second-placed Sevilla drew 0-0 at Osasuna on Saturday and third-placed Real Betis lost 2-0 at home against Villarreal, Real Madrid extended their lead at the top to six points. Missing four key starters, Real Madrid completely dominated the match and finished with almost 70% possession and 10 shots on target against only three from Granada.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti came into the match facing a selection headache. Karim Benzema, LaLiga's top scorer with 17 goals, was missing his second consecutive game with a leg muscle injury, while Vinicius Jr., who is second only behind his team mate on the scorers' list with 12 goals, was suspended. Casemiro and Lucas Vazquez were left out at the last minute due to stomach bugs. Even with those players out, Ancelotti started with Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard on the bench, with both players out of favour with the coach.
Without a natural striker, Ancelotti used Isco and Marco Asensio as forwards but his team were clearly hampered by the absence of Benzema and Vinicius, who have scored 29 of Real's 48 league goals this season. Both Isco and Asensio had chances in the first half with similar shots that were kept out by Granada keeper Luis Maximiano, who made several incredible saves. Real's came close to opening the scoring when Carlos Neva tried to clear a Toni Kroos cross but sent the ball straight onto his own crossbar. Madrid turned the screw after the break but Granada held firm until Asensio recovered a loose ball just outside the visitors' area and rifled home an outstanding strike.
'It was a very difficult match, it demanded a lot from us from the first minute,' Real's Marcelo told reporters. 'The key was to have patience with the ball and we managed to finally find a goal with a fantastic shot from Asensio.'
And there's the whistle! Madrid sneak a 1-0 win and extend their lead at the top of the table.
Asensio! Close from the winger, who lashes a shot just over the bar.
Three minutes added!
And another Madrid change as Modric makes way for Ceballos.
Marcelo off to an ovation, Nacho on.
Maximiano! Another wonderful save from the Granada keeper to deny Asensio a second. It won't be long before the big guns come knocking for the 23-year-old former Sporting Lisbon stopper.
Which Kroos sends straight into the gloves of Maximiano.
Ah, no he doesn't, there was some confusion there. Hazard started his fall just outside the area... free kick.
Penalty! Hazard goes down a little too easily under minimum contact from Gonalons and the ref points to the spot.
Asensio whipped off his shirt in celebration, and into the book he goes.
Granada fail to clear a regulation ball and it falls to the winger, who picks his spot and buries an unstoppable shot past Maximiano!
Goooooooooooooooool! Asensio!
Double change for Granada, Raba and Petrovic on, Collado and Puertas off.
Hazard wins the ball in a challenge with Quini but manages to stand on the Granada player's hand, Modric goes in the book for his views on the matter.
And the changes have an instant effect as Hazard and Jovic combine, the Serbia striker sending a shot just wide with his left peg.
Ancelotti shuffles his deck, Hazard and Jovic on for Isco and Rodrygo.
The veteran is more of a target man than the fleet-footed Colombian.
Jorge Molina on for Granada, Luis Suárez off.
Maximiano! What a save from the Portuguese stopper to deny Asensio with a sprawling dive to his left.
Rodrygo! The Brazilian drops a shoulder and whacks a shot at the near post that Maximiano turns around for a corner.
There is movement on the touchline from both sides though.
A point here would be a decent result for Granada and the visitors certainly aren't doing a lot to try and get any more than that.
Rodrygo! We'd actually forgotten he was playing but the Brazilian pops up on the left to test Maximiano with a low drive.
Modric! The Croatian twists and turns and find a yard to shoot but inevitably it hits the red and white wall.
The delivery is woeful though as Milla hits it straight into the first available Madrid defender.
Granada with an opportunity from a free kick just outside the area as Militão is pulled up for a foul.
Glorious ball from Marcelo, Valverde attacking it but Maximiano is out to smother. Good keeping from the Granada stopper.
Asensio and Rodrygo appear to have switched flanks as well.
Fede Valverde is on for Madrid, Camavinga off. Ancelotti looking for a bit more forward drive from the midfield. The Madrid boss still doesn't seem keen to stick a striker on though.
There were actually seven shots on target in that half, which makes it sound a bit more interesting than it was. Neither keeper has been unduly troubled so far, beyond Puertas' early effort, which was hit straight at Courtois.
And there's the whistle! A half that will not live long in the memory.
One minute added
Gonalons picks Isco's pocket and charges forward, Kroos does what he needs to do to prevent a three-on-three and slides into the Frenchman. He was rather lucky Marcelo was between him and the goal there, the midfielder.
Asensio! The winger leathered that one but it was straight at Maximiano and he makes a fairly straightforward save.
Madrid win a corner, which is about the best they can hope for as they try without success to find a way through the red and white wall. Granada have nine players in the box when Madrid are attacking.
Milla! Another decent chance for Granada but the midfielder hammers his shot well over. A few whistles starting to sound around the Bernabéu, the fans are not enjoying this.
Luis Suárez! The Colombian forward slaps an effort wide from Quini's nod down. The flag was up anyway.
Granada have probably had fewer more comfortable games at the back this season. Madrid are struggling to create anything of note.
Kroos! The Germany midfielder hits a first time effort from the left just over the bar!
Almost an own goal! Neva throws a leg at a Carvajal cross and it loops onto the bar!
Madrid try to play through the middle but a wall of red and white shirts closes out the danger.
Courtois gets into a pickle under pressure and plays the ball straight to Granada on the edge of his own area.
Free kick for Madrid on the edge of the area as Marcelo is hauled back.
Rodrygo bursts through onto a long ball but Maximiano, who has been an excellent signing for Granada, is out to beat the Brazilian to the punch.
There is a distinct lack of precision from Madrid this evening. Luka Modric plays a ball straight out for a throw, which is something you don't see often.
Isco is certainly making the most of his opportunity, looking for the ball and pressing the Granada back four. The same cannot be said of Rodrygo, who has hardly had a touch and wasted the two or three balls that have found their way to him.
Gonalons goes down under a hefty challenge from his compatriot Camavinga, who appeared to stand on his ankle there.
It's not really clicking up front for Madrid with Rodrygo and Asensio stepping on each other's toes and Isco not exactly an out and out striker, despite the midfielder appearing to be playing through the middle. Granada will lap this up all evening.
Asensio! Lovely work from Isco to bring the ball under his spell and he lays off for the Spain winger, who tests Maximiano with a low drive.
Madrid free kick and it's a decent delivery from Kroos, the only problem being that Isco was the target and fine player that he is, he doesn't score many with his head.
Collado, the former Barça winger, warms Courtois' gloves with a decent effort from a free kick.
And hit on the break they do, Puertas getting on the end of a long ball and drawing Courtois into an early save.
Plenty of the ball for Madrid in the opening exchanges. Granada are set up to hit on the break.
And we're off! Madrid get the ball rolling in the Bernabéu.
The teams are in the tunnel now and we're about to get started in Madrid.
The warm-ups are underway and we're not far from kick off now.
What price a draw?
A slightly bizarre stat: in the last 17 Liga meetings between these two, there have been zero draws. Madrid have won 16 of those games with Granada last beating the current leaders back in 2013.
The scene is set....
Granada starting XI confirmed
No major surprises from Moreno, with Granada B defender Raúl Torrente retaining his place and Antonio Puertas preferred to Jorge Molina up top.
Real Madrid starting XI confirmed
A few surprises in Ancelotti's XI... Casemiro is handed a rest with Camavinga coming in for the Brazilian while Isco gets a very rare start and Marcelo is preferred to Nacho to fill in at the back. Asensio and Rodrygo are up top, with Hazard and Jovic left to stew on the bench.
Ancelotti on rotation
"As a squad, we're ready for the game. Apart from Vini Jr. and Karim, all of the players are fit. They're all training and, if I give them the chance, they'll play. Naming my team is a decision that I have to take and I'll have to wait and see if I get it right".
Robert Moreno, who cut his teeth as Luis Enrique's assistant coach at Roma, Celta, Barça and the Spain national team before making the leap to the big chair at Monaco after an interim gig as La Roja's main man, is a worthy opponent for Ancelotti. That said, Granada have not been in decent form of late, losing two and drawing two of their last four and Moreno hasn’t overseen a victory since before Christmas.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 26 | 23 | 6 | 8 | 9 |
| 15 | 25 | 23 | 6 | 7 | 10 |
| 16 | 24 | 22 | 5 | 9 | 8 |
| 17 | 23 | 22 | 5 | 8 | 9 |
| 18 | 18 | 23 | 3 | 9 | 11 |
Mendy absence another headache for Ancelotti
Adding to Ancelotti's tactical conundrum is the absence of the France defender. That will probably mean David Alaba switching to left back with Nacho coming in alongside Eder Militão in the centre of the back four.
The 20-year-old striker has enjoyed a breakout season for Castilla, in which he has scored six goals, including two against Barcelona B a week ago. Latasa is also a seriously destabilizing presence for opposition defences at 1.92 metres (6’3”) tall.
Real Madrid's Benzema-Vinicius dependence
Benzema has scored 24 in 28 games this season and Vinicius has chipped in with 15 in 31. Behind that is Marco Asensio with seven and Toni Kroos with three. Granada will fancy their chances of causing an upset if they can keep the Spain winger under wraps and prevent the German and Luka Modric from pulling the trigger around the edges of the area. The player likely to lead Madrid’s front line on Sunday, Luka Jovic, has managed one this season.
However, the Italian schemer will have to pull out all of his tricks this evening to extend that advantage in the absence of Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior. Whisper it, lest the plumage of Madridismo be ruffled, but without the Frenchman and the Brazilian the Liga leaders are likely to struggle.
Real Madrid vs Granada: welcome
Hello and welcome to AS USA's live coverage of the LaLiga game between Real Madrid and Granada from the Santiago Bernabéu. Kick.off is at 15:00 ET (21:00 local time).