Thanks to Brahim Diaz and Rodrygo Goes, Real Madrid did not panic against Granada (2-0) and regained first place in La Liga, occupied for a few hours by Girona.
Half past four. This is how long Girona has been back in first place in La Liga. Because yes, the throne of leader of the Spanish championship rightfully returned to Real Madrid this Saturday early evening. Casa Blanca hosted Granada , without a win since the end of August (4 draws, 8 defeats), in its Santiago-Bernabéu lair to return to the top of the standings , after the victory of the Catalan team at home against Valencia earlier in the 'afternoon (2-1). For the 15th day of La Liga , Carlo Ancelotti's men did the work at home, in a meeting that they almost mastered, without really shining (2-0).
If the visitors tried to get a foot on the ball at the start of the match, the Merengues did not hesitate to quickly attack to regain possession, in particular thanks to the quarterback role of Toni Kroos, ready to serve caviars to the offensive. After a distant but vicious free kick from Raul Torrent, which ultimately did not deceive Andriy Lunin - preferred to the convalescing Kepa, back in the group - the German used his right paw to combine in a one-two with Brahim Diaz and launch the The former Milanese, who opened the scoring with a subtle dive (1-0, 26th) against Andalusian goalkeeper Andre Ferreira, returned in place of Raul Fernandez, who left with an injury after only 11 minutes of play.
Rodrygo in great shape
The men in white's top scorer, Jude Bellingham, had to wait until the last minutes of the first half to finally challenge the Granadina rearguard, but his cross shot grazed the Portuguese goalkeeper's left post (42nd). The Englishman was even the victim of a rough tackle from Ignasi Miquel in the safe zone, but the referee did not flinch (44th). Returning from the locker room, Real quietly waited for the break in the rojiblanco block before cracking it thanks to their Brazilian Rodrygo. The in-form man from the capital club came to shoot down the last rampart with a resumption from the right (57th) for his 6th goal in La Liga , his 7th in his last 5 matches in all competitions.
Andre Ferreira had no time to rest and had to keep his team in the match, intervening well against Federico Valverde's left shot behind the defense (74th). After a peaceful last quarter of an hour for the locals, somewhat dangerous with the entry of Nico Paz, scorer for the first time in his Madrid career in the middle of the week against Napoli, the score no longer changed until the kickoff. final whistle. With this fifth victory in a row to extend its unbeaten streak to 13 since the end of September, Real Madrid regains the lead in the championship thanks to its favorable goal difference (+24 for Real, +16 for Girona). Grana continues its descent into hell and does not leave its 19th place, three points behind Mallorca, first non-relegation.