Sunday 8 January 2012

Real Madrid 5-1 Granada



Mourinho's men started the game much brighter than their opponents and came close to scoring on a number of occasions inside the opening quarter of an hour. 


Los Merengues eventually broke the deadlock through Benzema, who swept home from six yards after wonderful build up play from Cristiano Ronaldo and Ozil, the latter of whom provided a magical assist for the French striker off of a no-look back-heel pass. 


Despite its early dominance Madrid was soon pegged back by Granada, who equalized within minutes of Benzema's strike courtesy of midfielder Mikel Rico. The club's goal came after Uche did well down the right-hand side to beat Marcelo and whip an inviting cross into the box where Rico was waiting unmarked to head in off the post. 

After managing to withhold a storm of Madrid attacks early on, after equalizing Granada began to put serious pressure on Iker Casillas and the Madrid defense. Rico nearly scored a second to give his side the lead when he curled a fine effort towards goal that Casillas did well to parry to safety.

In a wildly open encounter Madrid then took a 2-1 lead against the run of play through Ramos. Ozil was again on hand to provide the assist, this time from a set-piece as his corner found Ramos who planted a firm header past Roberto in the Granada goal. 

The first half ended with both sides having speculative efforts on goal from distance as the game remained wide open after an entertaining opening 45 minutes. 

After affording Granada space and time in the first half Madrid started the second half with a definite point to prove to the visitors. Two goals in five minutes did just that. 

First Gonzalo Higuain fired past Roberto after hesitant defending from Diakhite before Benzema received a fine pass from Ozil on the edge of the box and demonstrated his ball-striking abilities by drilling home his second of the evening from 15 yards out. 

Shortly after grabbing his second Benzema had to be withdrawn through injury, making way for Jose Callejon, the young Spanish forward. Ozil was then replaced by Kaka, as Mourinho gave his impressive playmaker a rest following a fantastic performance.



The three goal cushion allowed Madrid to take a step off the gas in the second half, as Granada struggled to recover from the home side's blistering start to the second half. 

Ronaldo, not to be outdone by the goalscoring exploits of those around him, got his name on the score sheet with a well-struck effort from the edge of the area in injury time. 

Mourinho will be disappointed at the sloppy defending that led to Granada's goal but overall will be pleased with his side's performance this evening, as they extended their lead at the top of La Liga to six points. Granada may feel slightly aggrieved at the manner of the defeat after more than matching Madrid in the opening 45 minutes.


Kaka Showed some nice touches in a brief cameo as he helped Madrid comfortably see out the result, including setting up Ronaldo's goal.

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