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

Real Madrid were finally ruthless in the attack

Aside from showing more fight, Real Madrid deserve praise for increasing their attacking efficiency by several magnitudes from what we have seen in recent matches. Their 0-0 draws to Getafe and Real Betis were huge blows in the title race, and they were also lacking against Osasuna and Sevilla for most of the 90 minutes despite scoring two goals in each of those matches.

Madridistas know that Real are in a bit of a dry period when it comes to their attack, but they still expect more from this team. And they received more, finally, on Thursday night against Granada, as they watched Real put four goals into the back of the net.

Real worked hard off the ball, made use of the fullbacks pushing up the pitch, and did a great job of thinking progressively on the ball. There was less meandering and more opportunism from Real, with wide players Miguel Gutierrez, Rodrygo Goes (his solo goal was fantastic), Vinicius Junior, and even Alvaro Odriozola and Marvin Park at right back looking to make things happen.

Odriozola, for example, scored a rare goal by pouncing on Eden Hazard’s chance. Hazard made a poor first touch, but he did well to cut the ball back. Odriozola was the first man to recognize and jump on the opportunity, thundering the ball into the back of the net.

That goal exemplifies what we want to see from Real. Players amending an initial mistake and also players being aware of an opportunity when it presents itself. These things were lacking in the 0-0 draws and even in the draw with Sevilla, so it was good to see Real Madrid swarm and be more active offensively at Granada.