Real Madrid went level on points with Barcelona at the top of the La Liga with an easy 4-0 win over already relegated Granada. Los Blancos rested the majority of their first team squad as Zinedine Zidane decided to leave his star men at home and gambled on his second string side to do the job in the away game.
James Rodriguez took the game away from the hosts in just 11 minutes as he scored in what might be his easiest brace in his career. Then in the space of five minutes, Alvaro Morata showed his ability to score two goals in a hurry. Real Madrid now need just seven points from their remaining three games in their bid to win the title for the first time in six years. They are also in line to clinch a league and a Champions League double for the first time in 59 years.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the five major talking points from the game that solidified Real Madrid's chances of wearing the Spanish crown:
#1 Alvaro Morata deserves a place in the starting eleven
Whenever he has been given the opportunity, Morata has impressed with his knack for scoring goals at crucial junctures. In the last four starts given to him, Morata has scored seven goals yet finds himself on the fringes in the big games. He did not feature in the first leg against Atletico Madrid and also did not have anything to do in the famous win over Bayern Munich over two legs.
Against Granada, Morata looked hungrier than ever for his goals as he scored two in quick succession to take the game away from the hosts in the first half itself. Zidane's preference of Karim Benzema over Alvaro Morata is well known but the manager must decide on merit ahead of the next few important game weeks for the Los Blancos.
Morata's former teammate Gianluigi Buffon recently showered him with praises when he said that had the striker stayed with the Bianconeri, he would have been the club's best player till now. Morata is truly too good a player to be used as the second choice striker at any club.
#2 Depth in squad comes in handy
Apart from Sergio Ramos and Casemiro, the other nine players that played in the semifinal win over Atletico Madrid were handed a rest against Granada. The famed BBC trio was taken off the firing line for this game along with the usual midfield duo of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
The likes of James Rodriguez and Danilo have been fighting for their future at the club and this game was a perfect opportunity for them to boost confidence and look good against a lowly placed team.
Real Madrid have a deep squad and that can be deduced when a €80 million Colombian superstar is termed as a squad player. Though they did the job well against Granada, the win was more down to the abysmal state of affairs at Granada than the brilliant strategy of the visitors.
Real Madrid club hierarchy would be doing a great job if they manage to keep this bench strength together in the years to come and continue their dominance in Europe with clubs hovering about to sign some of these players who don't feature much for them.
#3 Tony Adams might regret his stint in Spain
When the Arsenal legend was announced as the new manager of the La Liga side Granada, eyebrows were raised at his appointment. Granada were almost relegated back then as Adams himself said that he was brought on to build a base for the club and help them to rebuild.
There has been no hint of that in his five games as Granada have been humbled in the matches under Adams so far. They have scored just one goal under his tenure while conceding 13.
Though it was expected that Adams' side will falter against the most in-form team in the world at the moment, it was the manner of the defeat which wasn't a good viewing for anyone. He also made a substitution after just 18 minutes on the clock in the first half which shows his inability to chalk out a pre-decided plan against the opposition.
Adams might have to return to his role as an advisor and a sporting director soon after starting his time in Spain miserably. This torrid time as a manager for the former Arsenal centre-back comes after two spells in England with Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth.
#4 Lucas Vazquez shines again
If Zinedine Zidane's success this season had to be epitomised into the performance of a player, it would definitely be Lucas Vazquez. The hard-working winger has gone on to make a name for himself in this star-studded lineup because of his talent and sheer grit.
This is proved by the fact that Vazquez has made the most number of appearances for Real Madrid this season.
He was on fire against Granada as he tormented their left-back Gaston Silva throughout the game and beat him at will. Vazquez provided the cross for James' opener and also came close to scoring when his Robben-esque attempt hit the upright in the first half. Vazquez has been massive in Real Madrid's title surge this season which is also reflected in the fact that two of their defeats have come in the four games where the Spaniard was not involved.
The versatile attacker has been massive in Real Madrid's title surge this season which is also reflected in the fact that two of their defeats have come in the four games where the Spaniard was not involved.
#5 Fabio Coentrao delivers a performance for his potential summer buyers
Coentrao started his Real Madrid career pretty well and at one point it seemed he would replace Marcelo as the first-choice full-back for the Spanish giants. With time, his performances deteriorated and the player who kept Marcelo on the bench in a Champions League final three years ago is all set to be offloaded in the summer.
He was terrific against Granada as he delivered a beauty of a cross for James Rodriguez to head home for the second goal and also should have had another assist to his name but Sergio Ramos wasted a simple chance at his disposal.
Coentrao fought hard for lost causes and was a strong presence in the attack on his flank. This type of performance from the left-back might have impressed some or the other club as despite putting in a mature performance, Real Madrid are no longer interested in keeping Coentrao on their books.
