Real Madrid: Five takeaways from a 4-1 win over Granada

Miguel Gutierrez takes full advantage of his chance

Regardless of what the reason is for Marcelo’s omission from the squad – injury, argument, or simply a benign technical decision – it is abundantly clear that the future is now for Real Madrid at the left back position.

Miguel Gutierrez earned his first career start at Los Carmenes, and it took him less than a half-hour to change the game. He had a gorgeous assist for Luka Modric to put Los Blancos ahead 1-0, scooping the ball over the defense into the perfect space where Modric could collect the ball and fire it home.

And Gutierrez could have added a second assist to his tally in the second half, as he made a classy cross to the backpost for Marco Asensio, who, unfortunately, made a real mess of the Castilla player’s cross.

Gutierrez showed good composure defensively and on the ball when playing out of the press, always making himself available for teammates and looking for the progressive pass.

Raul’s top three players Sergio Arribas, Miguel Gutierrez, and Antonio Blanco have all impressed with their composure. Thursday night was Gutierrez’s time to shine, and he is very clearly the better option than Marcelo for the remainder of the 2020-2021 campaign. He is ready.