3 things Real Madrid must do to avoid dropping points to Granada

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Real Madrid, Marco Asensio (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /

Real Madrid will face Granada on La Liga’s Matchday 14 this Sunday at Los Carmenes, having just won their last three matches against Elche, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Rayo Vallecano. All three of these wins were by a scoreline of 2-1, but none of them were truly convincing.

Los Blancos currently sit second in the table, behind Real Sociedad by one point with a game in hand. Granada is their last “easier” match in La Liga before a gauntlet of fixtures against the other top-four clubs, in addition to their final two Champions League group stage matches.

But as we know, there are no such things as easy matches in La Liga. Even in a down year in which they are in the relegation zone, Granada are dangerous. Especially at home.

Here are three things Real Madrid must do to avoid dropping points on the road to Granada.

Need an impact from the right wing

MARCA currently expects Marco Asensio to get another start on the right side of the Real Madrid attack, which does not sound ideal. Asensio has struggled every time at this position, and these issues date back to last season under Zinedine Zidane.

While Asensio had a dream hat trick against Mallorca, he hasn’t shown up in other matches this season. He was woeful a couple of weeks ago in a 0-0 draw against Osasuna, so if he starts on the right wing and plays like that again, Los Blancos could be staring down more valuable dropped points in the table. And the three points matter so much with the schedule Real have ahead.

Rodrygo Goes is returning from an injury, but it is yet unclear if he will be ready to start against Granada. With the important matches ahead, Carlo Ancelotti may not want to risk the young Brazilian forward on Matchday 14.

Eden Hazard and Lucas Vazquez are other options. And Vazquez just might be the safest option. He was great against Shakhtar and offers what Asensio cannot. Hard work defensively.

Ancelotti’s decision on the right wing could mean the difference between three points in the table and just one.

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