Real Madrid Vs. Granada

After having listened to Carlo's press conference ahead of tomorrow's game against Granada, the starting XI will probably be the following:

Casillas; Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, James; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale.

Notable absentees:
Isco: Serving a one-match ban.
Pepe: Carrying a knock.
Carvajal: Omitted for unknown reasons. Probably just resting.


Good news: Carlo hinted that he'll be deploying the same tactics he did against Barça:

We’ll repeat the same format we used against Barcelona. At Camp Nou, our midfield sat deeper and we were more compact as a team.

I completely agree with this. There was a clear change against Barça when we were defending: Bale was clearly instructed by Carlo not to let Alba run free. You could see the line of four in midfield; something that was visibly impalpable before. I hope this wasn't just a one-time thing. I hope Carlo isn't instructing Bale to solely defend against big teams.

We’re continuing our idea at the back while in attack Bale is playing a little further forward

I hope this won't make Bale neglect his defensive duty; if he [realizes] has any.

James back? can see at least 4 goals.

He'll need time to shake off the rustiness. He's been out for nearly two months now.

It all comes down to Bale's defensive work. If he's lazy, we'll struggle. If he plays his heart out defensively and be less selfish offensively, Granada will get decimated.

Granada are struggling badly, so either they will come out fighting trying to at least get a point somehow by scoring early and parking the bus(highly unlikely) or they will falter at the first attack by Madrid(or seeing Ronaldo run at them).

Don't think Bale will have to defend unless there is some sort of pressure down that side. He does need to perform though. Goals will only help. And yea, agreed about him needing to be less selfish.

At home against Granada. We should put 5 past them. James should play on the right where he is best and Bale can't be any worse on the left. But I understand if Carlo doesn't want to have Marcelo, Bale and Ronaldo all on one side

Arbeloa starting ahead of Nacho

Granda are awful

CR has a hattrick in first half. Messi is suffering.

8 minutes for a hattrick whici is prob around 5 minutes without celebrations

Granada

James is incredibly good.

lmao is it true Granada are resting players

Messi going to risk re injurying himself chasing a hatrik within 5 minutes now

We started off slow. Up until '23 we couldn't pierce through their midfield and defence so we relied on long passes and crosses. After the first goal, it gradually changed and we were able to find our boots.

Ronaldo's first goal was down to James' brilliant pass and unselfishness. I mean Ronaldo's finishing was exquisite, but James' unselfishness is what makes an elite team look elite.

Ronaldo's goals were amazing, especially the third one. I missed those tomahawk missiles.

James was running the show in the first half.

I hope we can, in the second half, pick up from where we left off in the first, and keep the hunger and intensity alive.

Great first half. This is only Granada, but nobody has scored four past any team in La Liga in the first half this season. So credit to the team.

I miss the days with James and Isco running riot in the flanks

yeah me too. I hope we can see them play together for at least 30 minutes every week. Carlo can start Bale if he wants, but he should sub him for Isco in the second half. The partnership Isco-James is worth wetting your pants over.

Benzema and CR are going in dry.

lmao

We will get undecima jibs

James out, Illarra in. I guess the fun is over.

Valkyrja wrote:We will get undecima jibs

On a serious note, now that Hames is back, if we get through Atletico, I'll put my money on us retaining the CL. Barcelona will lose a game. Madrid should win the league tbh. If we beat Pathetico I'm predicting a League CL double.

Granada getting in on the act, own goal

Didn't see the game... being in the US is ruining my footy viewing. Watching college bball ffs. Anyhow, seems like it was a good one.

Pray for Kroos to get a yellow against Rayo so he is rested for Pathetico

It was excellent sport. Although Granada rested some of their starters we didn't stop attacking till the last minute. The whole team played amazing

We need to do this against Valencia and Sevilla who are our toughest games left. Barca are playing worse and worse but they are picking up wins. I think they will draw two more games and we need to be there when it happens