Another day, another win but another reason to keep doubting Real Madrid and their title credentials.
Real Madrid failed to keep yet another clean sheet as they beat Granada 4-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu this past weekend.
After Karim Benzema’s opening goal early on, Eden Hazard scored his first goal for the club after his big-money move from Chelsea this past summer.
A Luka Modric screamer soon followed and certainly they were in for a cruise, a perfect day.
The problem with Real Madrid is that you can not trust them to keep clean sheets anymore and eventually they showed their true colours at the back.
They conceded two goals in the space of ten minutes and Granada pushed for a winner.
The visitors left space in behind their defence and Real Madrid capitalized with James Rodriguez making it safe for Los Blancos.
On the bright side, they bounced back from that disturbing result against Club Brugge and moved to the summit of the league but their defensive security makes for cautious pride or happiness from the Real Madrid fans.
The most ironic stat is that for all their defensive issues this season, they’re unbeaten in the league.
At this point, seeing their team top would bring a sense of elation but also caution as they know what their team is capable of. Two clean sheets kept this whole season tells you all you kneed to know.
Substitute goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was to blame for the first goal as his bad back pass to an opponent lead to him taking down Alvaro Vallido with Daniel Machis making no mistake from the spot.
“We are better than a month ago. Each player that comes in plays their part. But I want more, and we will play better. We are perfectionists. But it is not easy, there are no easy games. You must always play from minute 1 to 90.”
“We need to give a positive message, from inside. We know you must suffer, sweat it, in all games. But I will always be positive, the players too, although we know we must improve, and we will.”
These have been the words Zidane usually repeats in his press conferences when discussing his team this season. They have yet to put consistent 90-minute displays in.
Real Madrid’s best performance was in their 1-0 victory away to Sevilla where they matched the intensity of the home side and showed their own quality as well.
Hazard finally off the mark
Hazard opened his Real Madrid account for the season in classy fashion with an exquisite chip over the keeper.
Previously, the superstar Belgian was a subject of criticism and prior to the goal he was not having so much luck on the ball. Hopefully, this goal to be a step in returning him to his best form which he had at Chelsea.
Real Madrid go into the international break as table toppers in La Liga and with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid breathing down their necks, the next slip up will be as anticipated as their next win.
