Struggling Granada welcomed third-place Real Madrid in Sunday evening's La Liga clash in Andalusia.
Victory for the visitors would have moved them four points off the leaders Barcelona and they led 1-0 at the break courtesy of a 30th-minute strike from Karim Benzema.
Granada levelled on the hour when Youssef El Arabi converted under the onrushing Keylor Navas just two minutes after entering as a substitute.
Luka Modric had the last laugh, however, with the Croatian's sensational effort late on securing all the points for Los Blancos.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Los Carmenes as 19th-place Granada welcome third-place Real Madrid. Both teams are in need of the points as the season gathers pace, but for very different reasons. Victory for the hosts would move them outside of the bottom three, but Real Madrid really cannot afford to drop any more points as they chase down the unflappable Barcelona.
HEAD2HEAD! The last five meetings between the two teams in La Liga have ended in Real Madrid wins, with Los Blancos keeping a clean sheet in four of those fixtures. The Spanish giants were 4-0 winners when they travelled to this stadium last season and also thumped Granada 9-1 at the Bernabeu last term. Their league meeting earlier this season was surprisingly a lot closer, however, with a Karim Benzema effort all that separated the two teams at the Bernabeu in September.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Who have Jose Ramon Sandoval and Zinedine Zidane placed their faith in tonight? Let's have a look...
TEAMS:
GRANADA: To follow...
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Isco; Ronaldo, Benzema, James
So there we have it. Still waiting on the Granada team news, but Real Madrid have released their XI and there are no changes from the side that beat Espanyol 6-0 last time out. Gareth Bale remains on the sidelines with a calf problem, meaning that James Rodriguez starts in the final third, with Isco in a deeper midfield position. It is also once again Dani Carvajal ahead of Danilo at right-back.
UPDATED TEAMS:
GRANADA: Andres; Lomban, Costa, Lopes, Foulquier; Rico, Perez; Success, Rochina, Barral; Penaranda
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Isco; Ronaldo, Benzema, James
Granada are not too far behind with their team news and somewhat surprisingly, the home side will set up in a very forward-thinking formation tonight. David Barral, Isaac Success and Ruben Rochina are all in the XI, while Adalberto Penaranda, who joined Watford on transfer deadline day before being loaned back to Granada, also starts, but new signing Isaac Cuena is only on the bench.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now around 40 minutes from kickoff tonight. I shall speak about Real Madrid a little bit later, but let's start with Granada, who are currently stuck inside the relegation zone. They are currently in their fifth successive La Liga campaign, but face the real possibility of being relegated to the Segunda Division this season.
Sandoval's side currently sit 19th in the table on 20 points - winning five of their 22 matches, drawing five and losing 12 times. Despite their uncomfortable position in the table, Granada are actually only two points from 17th-place Espanyol and they are just four points from 14th position. It is shaping up to be a fascinating battle at the bottom as well as at the top in La Liga this season.
Granada will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 defeat at Villarreal, but they have won each of their last two league games on home soil. At the start of January, they recorded an impressive 2-1 win over Sevilla, before beating Getafe 3-2 on January 23. Those victories have given them a real chance and after this one, they have a decent run which includes games against Real Sociedad and Sporting Gijon.
Conceding goals has been Granada's main problem this season, with 44 shipped in 22 matches the second-worst record in the league behind Rayo Vallecano. Conceding against Real Madrid has also been an issue during their recent meetings and that will be a fear for the home side tonight. Whether they remain in the league this season is not going to depend on tonight, but a heavy defeat could impact on confidence.
As for Real Madrid, Zidane's side currently sit third in the table on 47 points. They are four points behind second-place Atletico and seven points from the leaders Barcelona, who have both already won this weekend. Barcelona's seven-point gap could be cut to four tonight, but the Catalan outfit would still have a game in hand. Los Blancos have some ground to make up this season.
Real Madrid's league record this season - played 22, won 14, drawn five and lost three. They are the highest scorers in the division with 64 to their name, but they have conceded 20 times, which is a record bettered by Atletico, Barcelona and also Villarreal, who were the last team to beat them in La Liga.
Zidane has taken control of four league matches for Real Madrid - winning three times and drawing once. All three of those victories came at the Bernabeu and they were extremely comprehensive - 5-0 against Deportivo La Coruna, 5-1 against Sporting Gijon and 6-0 against Espanyol last time out. Zidane's only away game in the league, however, ended in a 1-1 draw at Real Betis.
Indeed, Real Madrid are currently on a three-game winless run away from home in La Liga, having lost at Villarreal and drawn at both Valencia and Real Betis. Home form has not been a problem throughout the season, even before Zidane, but they do need to start winning on the road. Los Blancos cannot afford to drop many more points throughout the rest of the campaign if they are to overtake Barcelona.
It is a vital period of the season for Real Madrid as they prepare to return to Champions League action against Roma on February 17. They also have some tough games in the league – Athletic Bilbao at home and a trip to Malaga, before welcoming Atletico to the Bernabeu before the end of the month. Zidane has had a pretty calm introduction, but the Frenchman will know the importance of this month.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been criticised in some quarters this season, but the Portuguese has 19 league goals to his name in this campaign, while his partner in crime, Karim Benzema, has notched 18 times in Spain's top flight. Indeed, Benzema has netted in each of his last five league matches and has eight career La Liga goals against Granada. The French international has had a fine season to date.
PREDICTION! I am finding it difficult to look past Real Madrid in this match. I actually think that Granada will score because they have a lot of talent in the final third and Los Blancos are not exactly watertight at the back, but I am backing the visitors to record a comfortable 3-1 win.
A reminder of the two teams for this match...
GRANADA: Andres; Lomban, Costa, Lopes, Foulquier; Rico, Perez; Success, Rochina, Barral; Penaranda
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Isco; Ronaldo, Benzema, James
KICKOFF! You just get the feeling that the first goal tonight - if there indeed is one - could be crucial. Let's just hope for an entertaining game! Right, it is the hosts that kick things off here...
... not quite a full house, but there is a good atmosphere inside the stadium. Granada will want to get through the opening 10, 15 minutes without conceding and then attempt to build from there.
Plenty happening in the middle of the park in these early moments as both teams battle for control of the possession. Isco manages to break down the left for Real Madrid before cutting a pass back to James, but the vastly experienced centre-back Costa is on hand to clear down-field.
Varane attempts to carry the ball forward for the visitors, but the Frenchman has his pocket picked and Granada break. No chances for either side thus far, but it has been an open start.
CHANCE! The first chance of the match comes to the visitors as Carvajal picks out Benzema with a super cross from the right, but the in-form striker's over-head kick is just wide!
Granada, as expected, are full of energy in these early minutes and the home side are making it difficult for Real Madrid to get going in the final third. It is vital that the likes of Costa and Lomban do not become isolated with Ronaldo or indeed Benzema, who is no slouch when he gets going!
GOAL DISALLOWED! Penaranda has the ball in the back of the net for Granada after converting from close range, but the striker was offside. There was one defender between him and the goal, but goalkeeper Navas was out after coming to clear a through ball!
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments as both teams commit players in the final third, but both defences have stood strong in the opening 13 minutes of this contest.
CHANCE! Another super chance for Real Madrid as Ronaldo breaks through on the Granada goal, but from a tight angle, the Portuguese can only fire just wide of the post!
Real Madrid have certainly had the two best chances of the match, but Granada are causing problems in the final third with their pace and movement. A lot of speedsters in their team here!
CHANCE! Opportunity for the home side this time as Success shows excellent feet inside the Real Madrid box, but the forward's effort was always curling wide of the far post.
BOOKING! Lopes (Granada) is booked for a strong challenge on Isco.
Stoppage in play here as Rochina takes a nasty fall inside his own box...
... it was a really heavy clash of heads with Varane that left Rochina on the deck, but the Granada attacker is back on his feet. Quite a scrappy game at the moment - stop-start for both teams.
Ramos is now down after a challenge with Success and does not look comfortable. The Real Madrid captain has had a number of problems with his shoulder, but he landed on his back.
CHANCE! Wonderful defending from Lomban as the Granada centre-back somehow clears a low cross from Modric, which Ronaldo looked certain to convert! Sensational!
Foulquier sits Carvajal on the deck inside the Real Madrid box before attempting to beat Navas at his near post, but the stopper makes the save. End-to-end football in this La Liga affair tonight.
Real Madrid are far from comfortable at the moment as the home side continue to shift the ball wide and threaten down both wings. Success and Penaranda have both showed their threat in the opening 29 minutes, but Ronaldo's pace on the counter for Real Madrid's wins a corner from Costa.
GOAL! Granada 0-1 Real Madrid (Benzema)
Real Madrid take the lead in the 30th minute as Carvajal finds all sorts of space down the right before crossing into Benzema, who turns the ball home from close range. Not sure about the defending from Granada, but Carvajal did excellently to pick up the space in a dangerous are!
BOOKING! Perez (Granada) is booked for a late challenge on James.
Granada want a penalty as Success goes down inside the box, but there was no challenge and the referee is just not interested. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining in this game.
Real Madrid have taken control of this match as they pass and probe in the final third.
Kroos and Modric continue to look for that pass through the Granada defence, but the offside flag has been raised on a couple of occasions in the last 60 seconds. Not long left in this half!
You do get the feeling that there is something in this game for Granada, especially in the wide positions. They might be behind, but they have threatened on a number of occasions here.
CHANCE! Lopes breaks into the Real Madrid box before delivering a telling cross, but there are no takers! The ball is recycled to Rochina, who has a go, but his effort is over!
HALF-TIME: Granada 0-1 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the visitors leading 1-0 courtesy of a 30th-minute strike from Benzema, who converted a low cross from Carvajal. Granada have had their moments in the final third, however, and can take positives from the first period.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid have dominated the possession with 64%, but they have only managed one shot on target - the goal. Granada, meanwhile, have had seven attempts, but none of them have tested Navas. Two bookings to report in the first period - Lopes and Perez carded for the home side.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening, with the likes of Cuenca, El Arabi and Doucoure capable of making a difference. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have forward options in the shape of Jese Rodriguez and Lucas Vasquez.
This man just cannot stop scoring for Real Madrid at the moment...
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Granada find a route back into this match? We shall see! The visitors resume the action...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace.
Half-chance for the home side as Success makes use of a poor mistake from Marcelo before driving into the Real Madrid box and striking towards goal, but his effort is deflected wide!
SAVE! Navas is on hand to keep out a super header from Barral as Levante threaten again!
SAVE! Modric shows excellent technique to strike a rising ball outside the Levante box, but Fernandez, having just made a smart stop, is up to tip the Croatian's effort wide!
Granada really cannot afford to concede a second goal here. At 1-0 behind, they will always be in the match, but another for Real Madrid, for me, would end this La Liga game as a contest.
Granada continue to commit players forward and Rochina has a half-chance after working a yard of space outside the box, but his effort was always moving high of Navas's crossbar.
CHANCE! Benzema beats the offside trap before striking towards goal after initially attempting to set up Modric, but the Frenchman hits the side netting. All happening at the moment.
CHANCE! Stunning chance for the away side to score a second as Modric picks out Benzema with a super pass, but the Frenchman cannot beat Fernandez from close range - some stop!
GRANADA SUB! El Arabi replaces Barral for the home team.
GOAL! Granada 1-1 Real Madrid (El Arabi)
Granada level the scores on the hour as El Arabi, who has only just entered the field, converts under Navas after a super pass from Rochina. This place has just exploded!
REAL MADRID SUB! Jese Rodriguez replaces James for the away team.
BOOKING! Ramos (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Lopes.
Real Madrid have to find a way of winning this match. They just cannot afford to drop more points, especially with Barcelona in such wonderful form. At the moment, it is Granada that are committing players in the final third of the field and they are looking increasingly dangerous here.
Little over 20 minutes of this contest remaining and it is difficult to say that Real Madrid are really pressing for a second goal. Granada are comfortable and look full of energy here.
Ramos heads a Modric corner over the crossbar as Real Madrid come close.
It has not quite happened for Ronaldo tonight, but it would be so like the Portuguese to grab the winner in this match. Granada, however, look threatening each time they manage to break forward. This is a team in the relegation zone, but they have lots of quality in the final third.
GOAL DISALLOWED! El Arabi again has the ball in the back of the net for the home side, but the striker was in an offside position when he made contact with Lomban's header!
Success tumbles inside the box under a challenge from Navas, but the referee says no!
Zidane still has two permitted changes remaining and it would not be a surprise to see the Frenchman make another alteration in the next few minutes. Los Blancos need some inspiration!
Half-chance for the home side as Rochina shows wonderful ability to beat two players before finding Success, who beats Ramos, but the winger's cross is too strong for his teammates!
GRANADA SUB! Rico is replaced by Krhin.
REAL MADRID SUB! Kovacic replaces Isco for the away team.
Little over 10 minutes of this contest remaining and Granada are still holding firm. You still get the feeling that there is another goal in this match and it would be just massive either way!
GRANADA SUB! Penaranda is replaced by Doucoure.
Success continues to cause problems and the Granada forward wriggles free inside the Real Madrid box before striking towards goal, but his effort is cleared by a mixture of Ramos and Varane.
BOOKING! Carvajal (Real Madrid) is booked for a tug on Rochina.
GOAL! Granada 1-2 Real Madrid (Modric)
What a sensational goal that is! Real Madrid have broken Granada hearts here as Modric finds a yard of space outside the box before striking a super effort into the top corner - WOW!
REAL MADRID SUB! Nacho replaces Carvajal for the visitors.
Granada do not appear to have too much left here as we approach the final moments.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but Granada have possession and still have stoppage time to find a leveller in this match.
Three additional minutes have been added here.
Real Madrid have struggled on the road this season, but it appears that they are going to record a vital three points in this match. Granada's heads are down as we approach full-time here.
FULL-TIME: Granada 1-2 Real Madrid
So there we have it. Real Madrid have indeed secured all the points to move to within one point of second-place Atletico and four from the leaders Barcelona. It was a close call for Los Blancos, but they got there in the end. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
