Real Madrid

Leaving Real Madrid for good was never in Dani Ceballos' mind, even after he secured a season-long loan move to Arsenal in the summer.

Ceballos spoke to Radio Marca (h/t Metro) and appeared to backtrack on previous comments he made about his plans at Real: "My words were misunderstood. When I do not play, I don't enjoy myself."

The playmaker went on to explain how he knew he needed regular minutes this season ahead of Spain competing at next summer's UEFA Euro 2020. Ceballos helped his nation win this summer's Euro U21 and wants to be part of Robert Moreno's senior squad.

When pressed about his club future beyond this season, Ceballos said: "I never thought of leaving permanently. My goal is to succeed at Real Madrid. I’m going to fight to fulfil my dream."

Before then, Ceballos has to see out the remainder of his loan deal with the Gunners. The former Real Betis star had talked up life in North London, per another report from Metro: "I have eight months left at Arsenal, I can only thank them for the confidence that the coach and fans have placed in me, who have already made me a song. I am very happy there and I hope to continue for a long time."

While he's clarified the true meaning of those words, Ceballos can continue being a definite asset for Arsenal. Specifically, he has added vision, technique and flair to a workmanlike squad otherwise lacking those qualities in the advanced areas of midfield.

Arsenal head coach Unai Emery has been reluctant to play elegant, mercurial No. 10 Mesut Ozil. Instead, he's trusted Ceballos to provide creativity, with the player chipping in with a pair of assists in the Premier League and scoring his first Arsenal goal during the 4-0 win over Standard Liege in the UEFA Europa League:

Dani Ceballos’ first Arsenal goal meant a lot to him ❤️ pic.twitter.com/xi3E6A4C9P

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 3, 2019

The Gunners may want to keep those qualities on a permanent basis, especially since Ozil is expected to move on:

Fenerbahce have begun talks with Arsenal over a loan move for Mesut Ozil, according to Turkish outlet Takvim 👀

Good move? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/xBz0EDKMr4

— GOAL (@goal) October 10, 2019

While Ceballos is proving his worth to Emery, he's also showcasing what he could bring to Los Blancos next season. Real also need a refresh in the creative department of midfield, where 34-year-old Luka Modric is still responsible for pulling the strings, while Toni Kroos offers a scoring threat.

Ceballos is still just 23, and he has the kind of forward-thinking game Real need at the tip of midfield. His shooting power can produce spectacular goals from outside the box, while the gifted No. 8 can knit possession together with the kind of intelligent and neat distribution that has defined Modric.

Making the grade at Real may mean convincing Zinedine Zidane of his worth. If Ceballos can do it, he has the chance to be central to an overhaul in the middle for the Spanish giants.

However, Real's gain would be Arsenal's loss and leave the Gunners casting a wider net in their search for creative reinforcements to replace Ozil's waning influence.  

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale says he is playing with "anger" amid speculation he is unhappy at the Santiago Bernabeu and wants to leave.

The 30-year-old told reporters while on international duty with Wales that he can be emotional on the football pitch but is determined to give his best for club and country:

"I think you play with a lot of emotion and anger comes into it of course, but I am just trying to play football, to enjoy it as much as I can and give my best, whether I am here or in Madrid. Whenever I step onto the pitch, I give 100 percent to help the team, and I will continue to do that."

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has reported that Bale is "fed up" with the treatment he has received from Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane and wants out, per BBC Sport.

The Wales star has been in decent form in the early weeks of the season but was left out of the UEFA Champions League squad to face Club Brugge without given an explanation which was the "last straw," according to Balague.

Zidane has said he did not feature because of injury, per Tom Allnutt of the AFP:

Zidane said after the game last night Bale wasn't picked because he was injured. But those close to Bale adamant he was fit and told to rest.

— Tom Allnutt (@TomAllnutt_) October 2, 2019

Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, has made clubs in Europe, North America and China aware of his desire to move on in the January transfer window, according to Mundo Deportivo (h/t Football Espana).

The Welshman was expected to leave Real Madrid last summer after Zidane made it clear he was not wanted at the club.

Zidane said in July during the Los Blancos' pre-season tour of the United States that "we hope he leaves soon. It would be best for everyone," per BBC Sport.

Bale came close to joining Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning before a move collapsed. Barnett said the move fell through when Real Madrid "changed their minds," according to ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan.

Despite Zidane's words the former Tottenham Hotspur man has gone on to make six La Liga starts in all competitions for Real Madrid this season, contributing two goals and two assists to help the club top the table.

His performances seem to have impressed the club's fans:

ICYMI | Gareth Bale receives ovation from Bernabéu crowdhttps://t.co/1DFYzPTvpm

— AS USA (@English_AS) October 6, 2019

Yet Bale still seems to have plenty to do to convince Zidane of his qualities. A January move can not be ruled out at this stage, but Bale has already shown this season it may be a mistake to allow him to leave midway through the season.

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has played down concerns over Eden Hazard's fitness and said the Real Madrid star can make a difference "whether he's carrying weight or not."

Martinez told Deportes Cuatro (h/t Marca) that Hazard can still cause defenders problems: "He is a really calm person, not someone who looks for individual glory. Whether he's carrying weight or not, Hazard can break past and unsettle defences and make a difference. His innate talent doesn't depend on whether his weight is this or that."

Hazard is in Martinez's Belgium squad for their UEFA 2020 European Championship qualifiers against San Marino on Thursday and Kazakhstan on Sunday:

📝 2️⃣8️⃣ Devils for our games against San Marino and Kazakhstan 🤩 #EURO2020 #COMEONBELGIUM 🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/ghJzpbVr6x

— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) October 4, 2019

His physical condition has come in for scrutiny after a slow start to the season with Real Madrid. 

The Belgian reportedly arrived at his new club seven kilograms overweight, as shared by football correspondent Juan G. Arango:

Eden Hazard has come to Madrid pre-season 7kg overweight. He hasn’t lost half that weight yet. https://t.co/ZHSoyyTlXU

— Juan Arango (@JuanG_Arango) July 29, 2019

Hazard then suffered a thigh injury in training that ruled him out of Los Blancos' opening games and Belgium's qualifiers against San Marino and Scotland in September.

The 28-year-old made his La Liga debut for Real Madrid as a substitute in a 3-2 win over Levante in September and followed that up with his first start in a 1-0 win over Sevilla.

Yet despite his return to first-team action, his fitness still came in for criticism.

EiF Soccer was not impressed with the Belgian during Real Madrid's derby draw with Atletico Madrid:

Hazard is out of shape. You can tell he can’t burst with pace right now. Looks really clunky and uncomfortable running at players. Disappointing start to his Madrid career thus far.

— EiF (@EiFSoccer) September 28, 2019

However, Hazard has shown signs of settling into life at the Santiago Bernabeu. He grabbed his first goal and his first assist in October's 4-2 victory against Granada.

Manager Zinedine Zidane was happy with his new signing's contribution:

Eden Hazard is off the mark at Real Madrid 👏

And Zinedine Zidane can't stop smiling 😁 pic.twitter.com/WLrll4D40y

— GOAL (@goal) October 6, 2019

Hazard now has the chance to build on that performance on the international scene with Belgium. The Red Devils have a perfect record in Group H after six games and will be expected to secure qualification with wins over San Marino and Kazakhstan.  

Martin Odegaard has said he is in contact with parent club Real Madrid, and they are happy with the fine start he has made to his loan spell at Real Sociedad. 

Per Eurosport Norway (h/t Marca), the 20-year-old explained the Madrid giants have commended him on his performances, but he added he is keen to complete the duration of his loan deal at the Anoeta Stadium:

"I am in contact with Real Madrid, as sometimes they write to me to tell me how they see me. They have congratulated me and praised my good start in the league. They have told me that they are happy with me. The idea is to respect [the loan deal]. I am happy at the team, and so I want to continue here until my two years end."

Odegaard joined Los Blancos as a 16-year-old from Stromsgodset in 2015 amid much fanfare after trialling with numerous top European clubs, including Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Manchester City.

He failed to settle in Real's Castilla side, though, or to establish himself in the first team.

The Norway international was subsequently sent out on loan to Dutch sides Heerenveen and Vitesse Arnhem, before starting his spell at La Real in July.

Odegaard has made a big impact in La Liga at the start of the 2019-20 campaign, netting two goals and providing two assists in eight appearances:

That was outrageously good from Odegaard. Woof. What a player! Genuine case to argue he’s best in La Liga so far this season. Brilliant.

— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) September 26, 2019

Martin Ødegaard, September Player of the Month in #LaLigaSantander. 💙🏆

Congratulations, @martinio98! 🙌

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) October 4, 2019

It is perhaps no surprise he was unable to immediately live up to the huge hype surrounding him when he arrived at Real given he was so young.

In a couple of seasons out of the Spanish spotlight, though, he has been able to progress away from the pressures of the Bernabeu and the wild expectation on his shoulders.

On the evidence of how he has started life at La Real, that has done him a huge amount of good, and Odegaard may yet live up to his enormous potential.

Real should still be wary of recalling him too early, however.

But if they allow him to continue to advance away from the Bernabeu, Real may yet get the player they hoped for back in 2015, as Odegaard is increasingly showing he could be a superstar in the future. 

Lionel Messi has said he thought Neymar would end up moving to Real Madrid in the summer when he did not rejoin Barcelona. 

The Paris Saint-Germain superstar, who left Barca for the French capital in August 2017 for £200 million, was widely linked with a move back to the Camp Nou in the recent transfer window, but Real's interest was also reportedly piqued by Neymar's eagerness to depart the Parc des Princes:

Real Madrid are more likely than Barcelona to sign Neymar, per @le_Parisien pic.twitter.com/FtqHETDU4Y

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 10, 2019

In the end, he stayed put at PSG and has netted four goals in five Ligue 1 appearances since being reintegrated into the side by manager Thomas Tuchel.

Messi, though, has now revealed his concerns the Brazil international could have ended up at the Santiago Bernabeu, per RAC1 (h/t Jack Kinnersley of MailOnline):  

"I really thought Neymar would go to Real Madrid if he didn't come here. He really wanted to leave Paris, and he'd shown it. And I thought that [club president] Florentino [Perez] and Real Madrid were going to do something to sign him."

Barcelona have not given up hope of getting Neymar, 27, back to Catalonia.

According to Joaquim Piera of Sport, they are prepared to try again to re-sign him in 2020 and are "convinced" they will eventually get their man.

It is hardly a surprise Barca are eager to get Neymar back at the club. During his four-year spell at the Camp Nou between 2013 and 2017, Barca won two La Liga titles, the Copa del Rey three times and, perhaps most crucially, the 2014-15 UEFA Champions League.

The partnership between Neymar, Messi and Luis Suarez was crucial to that success:

Messi, Suarez and Neymar combined goals over the last three seasons:

2014/15: 122
2015/16: 131
2016/17: 111

End of an era. pic.twitter.com/rPMqydoxVX

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 3, 2017

In a bid to replace Neymar, Barca have spent vast sums of money on the signings of Philippe Coutinho, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele.

The Brazilian is now on loan at Bayern Munich, while Griezmann's impact cannot yet be judged given he only joined in July.

However, former Atletico man Griezmann's prominence at Barca may be short-lived if the Blaugrana do re-sign Neymar next year. 

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has said Gareth Bale is disillusioned at Real Madrid and wants to leave the club.

According to BBC Sport, the football writer explained the Wales superstar has been angered by the treatment he's received from Los Blancos coach Zinedine Zidane, despite showing good form since the start of the season.

Madrid are top of La Liga, with Bale contributing to his side's improving performances, but the 30-year-old was recently omitted from Zidane's UEFA Champions League squad to play Club Brugge at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Balague said Bale is now seeking a departure from the club:

"Gareth Bale is fed up. He can do this no longer. At a time when he began to stand out, knowing that as he plays matches his fitness would be sharpened, he suddenly had to watch the game against Brugge in the stands. Nobody knows why. 

"He is angry, confused. When Zidane returned to the club, he decided he did not want Bale, without anyone having offered a clear reasoning."

Bale was back in the Madrid team after the 2-2 draw with Brugge, with the attacker starting the 4-2 La Liga win over high-flying Granada.

The former Tottenham Hotspur player assisted Karim Benzema for a second-minute opener but made way for substitute James Rodriguez with seven minutes to play.

According to AS' Paul Reidy, Bale received an "ovation" from home fans during his substitution, and despite having a fraught relationship with the Bernabeu crowd in the past, they have recognised his contribution this term.

Zidane had said in the summer he expected Bale to leave the club, but a proposed move to Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning collapsed after Real insisted on receiving a transfer fee, per BBC Sport. Balague said Bale does not know why Madrid were open to his exit, but then decided to hinder a move. The player is said to be "angry" with his situation and Zidane's "coldness" towards him.

"It is said that he [Bale] likes golf more than football, and it is true that he does not live the profession with the intensity of others, either on or off the pitch.

"He only asks for minutes to be able to give his best and to be able to offer goals to the team, something they lack.

"Leaving him out of the game against Brugge is difficult to understand, and has been the last straw.

"For the first time since he arrived at Real Madrid in the summer of 2013, the Welshman wants to leave. He feels that it is not fair what is being done with him."

Injuries have hampered Bale's career, especially in latter years, but when he is fit and firing he remains one of the most lethal forwards in Europe.

Madrid are in transition, despite currently topping La Liga, and Zidane's priority will be rebuilding around Eden Hazard in the coming transfer windows.

Bale is a saleable asset should Zidane wish to cash in, but while the winger is in good form, the Frenchman could choose to keep him in the short term.

The revolving door at the Bernabeu has seen many top players leave and play at the highest level elsewhere, and Bale would have plenty of options if Real president Florentino Perez decides to let him go.

With 22 goals, @Benzema is now the top scorer in #LaLigaSantander in 2019! 🔥#RealMadridGranada pic.twitter.com/qFgM4q9sh7

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) October 5, 2019

Karim Benzema has carried Real Madrid to the top of La Liga with his goals during the first eight matches of this season. It's hard to think of a more valuable player for Los Blancos, but the brilliance of Gareth Bale has also been an asset.

The Wales international has appeared to regain the confidence of manager Zinedine Zidane. His performances have helped Real stay strong in attacking areas, even with summer signing Eden Hazard making a relatively slow start to his career in the Spanish top flight.

Bale and Benzema get the plaudits for their exploits in the final third, but Casemiro also performs a vital function. The rugged Brazilian is the enforcer in midfield who wins possession for playmakers Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, while also screening the defence.

Benzema's Notable Stats (per WhoScored.com)

• 6 goals
• 1 assist
• 3.7 shots per game
• 1.6 aerial duels won per game
• 1.4 key passes per game
• 0.7 dribbles per game

If the measure of top players is how well they perform in adverse situations, then Benzema has cemented himself among the elite of his generation in recent seasons.

The Frenchman responded to Cristiano Ronaldo's departure to Juventus in the summer of 2018 by assuming the prolific No. 7's mantle as Real's attacking talisman. Benzema took to the task so well he netted 21 goals in La Liga during the 2018/19 campaign.

Picking up where he left off hasn't been a problem for the 31-year-old, who has scored six times in seven starts this season. His latest goal came in Saturday's 4-2 win over Granada, confirming his status as the most ruthless centre-forward in the division:

👑 @Benzema joins @lorenmg16 and @GerardMoreno9 on 6 goals! ⚽️#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/r42pk4SkUL

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) October 5, 2019

Hazard got off the mark for @realmadriden in a 4-2 win! 🙌💜🙌

(don't miss Modric's GOLAZO at 0:34)#RealMadridGranada pic.twitter.com/NM2EGdZFp9

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) October 5, 2019

Benzema's success is down to the way he has redefined his game. He couldn't have continued his role as a supporting act, the way he was for Ronaldo, a striker who vacated the middle to make room for runs from out to in.

Instead, he has made his style more about being in the best positions to punish defences. Timing and efficiency are now the hallmarks of Benzema's game and why he's invaluable for Los Blancos.

Bale's Notable Stats

• 2 goals
• 2 assists
• 1.3 key passes per game
• 1.3 dribbles per game
• 2.7 shots per game
• 2.2 aerial duels won per game

Bale's goal and assist numbers may not wow in the way Benzema's do, but he has still been a key part of the effectiveness of Real's forward line. Bale's shots per game and aerials won statistics show a player making himself a consistent nuisance in the most dangerous area of the pitch.

At times Bale has produced the kind of magic expected of a player who was once the most expensive on the planet. His improvised assist for Benzema's opener against Granada offered a reminder of the flair he is capable of:

3 points! Congrats on your first @realmadrid goal @hazardeden10 👊🏼⚪️ pic.twitter.com/9rim43zoDC

— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) October 5, 2019

Bale's performances have been good enough to put him back in Zidane's good graces. The man in the dugout wanted Bale gone during the summer, but has since praised the 30-year-old as "an important player."

Letting Bale prove he's lost none of his natural gifts has made the wait for Hazard to get up to speed easier to tolerate. Injury and conditioning concerns slowed Hazard, but the Belgian did score and assist against Granada to tellingly earn congratulations from Bale:

If this is the early signs of an on-pitch rapport between the two, Real will have the firepower needed to hold off Barcelona and win the title for the first time since 2017.

Casemiro's Notable Stats

• 1 goal
• 1 assist
• 2.8 tackles per game
• 2.6 interceptions per game
• 2 clearances per game
• 6 long balls per game

It's no surprise Casemiro's best numbers are in the defensive phase of the game. The 27-year-old is in his element when breaking up play and frustrating the opposition.

Real have needed those qualities while skipper Sergio Ramos has struggled to exert his familiar influence at the heart of the back four. By contrast, Casemiro has been an ever-present.

Beyond the obvious stats, the Brazil international's industry has offered an energetic counterpoint to the patient, strolling styles of Modric and Kroos, per Marca's Felipe Olcina and Chris Winterburn: "His performance levels have been incredibly high and throughout those matches, he has accrued over 22,000 kilometres of running."

Casemiro is offering schemers like Modric and James Rodriguez the freedom to express themselves going forward. Without the platform he provides, Zidane's team would soon be vulnerable at both ends of the pitch.

Real Madrid announced on Sunday that Toni Kroos has picked up an adductor injury in his left foot.

The club posted a bulletin on its official website, in which it's added "his recovery will continue to be assessed."

The news came a day after Kroos started in Los Blancos' 4-2 win over Granada. The Germany international 

The win saw Zinedine Zidane's side move four points clear at the top of the table. Barcelona or Sevilla can cut the gap to two points when they face off later in the day.

After a slow start to the campaign, Real Madrid have found some form of late. Zidane will be hoping any layoff for Kroos doesn't sap their momentum in the contests that follow the forthcoming international break.

The playmaker has been a huge influence at Los Blancos since he signed from Bayern Munich in 2014. Sitting in a deep midfield position, Kroos is capable of orchestrating attacks with his pinpoint passing and remarkable awareness on the field.

Zidane does have plenty of options in this area, as illustrated by the fact that he was able to call on Ballon d'Or holder Luka Modric from the bench to replace Kroos. Casemiro and Federico Valverde have also impressed in recent weeks.

The injury also casts doubts over Kroos' availability for Germany. He was called up to the squad for Wednesday's friendly with Argentina and the UEFA 2020 European Championship qualifier with Estonia on October 13.

Real Madrid defeated high-flying Granada 4-2 on Saturday in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Eden Hazard scored his first competitive goal for Los Blancos during a comprehensive victory for the leaders.

Elsewhere, Leganes' poor form continued after a 2-1 home defeat against Levante.

Valencia beat Deportivo Alaves 2-1, with Osasuna also winning 2-1 against Villarreal in the final match of the day.

                   

Saturday's Results

Leganes 1-2 Levante

Real Madrid 4-2 Granada

Valencia 2-1 Alaves

Osasuna 2-1 Villarreal

                                

La Liga Table (Played, Goal Difference, Points)

1. Real Madrid 8, 8, 18

2. Granada 8, 5, 14

3. Atletico Madrid 7, 3, 14

4. Barcelona 7, 6, 13

5. Real Sociedad 7, 5, 13

6. Sevilla 7, 3, 13

7. Athletic Bilbao 7, 4, 12

8. Valencia 8, 0, 12

9. Villarreal 8, 6, 11

10. Levante 8, 0, 11

11. Osasuna 8, 0, 11

12. Eibar 8, 0, 9

13. Real Valladolid 7, -1, 9

14. Real Betis 8, -5, 9

15. Alaves 8, -4, 8

16. Getafe 7, -1, 7

17. Celta Vigo 7, -5, 6

18. Espanyol 7, -8, 5

19. Mallorca 7, -8, 4

20. Leganes 8, -8, 2

                                            

Saturday Recap

Former Chelsea forward Hazard opened his account for Real with a goal against their nearest league rivals, and he later added an assist for Luka Modric.

Real congratulated their big summer signing for scoring his first goal:

⚽️💪 Congratulations to @hazardeden10 on his first official goal for @RealMadrid! #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/vEdiD5H9xV

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 5, 2019

Promoted Granada have been the surprise package of the Spanish top flight this season, but they could not overcome Madrid's superior quality.

Karim Benzema gave the hosts the lead after just two minutes, and Granada were forced onto the back foot for the majority of the contest.

Hazard beat goalkeeper Rui Silva in stoppage time before the interval, providing Zinedine Zidane's team with a commanding advantage at half-time.

Substitute Modric linked with Hazard just after the hour mark to score, but the visitors were provided a spark of hope with a penalty after 69 minutes.

Alphonse Areola fouled Carlos Fernandez in the box, allowing Darwin Machis to make it 3-1 from the spot.

Domingos Duarte set alarm bells ringing for Madrid with 13 minutes on the clock. The defender forced the ball home to make it 3-2 in the closing stages.

However, James Rodriguez's cameo off the bench produced a fourth goal for the home side, with the Colombian finding the back of the net during injury time.

Leganes remain firmly rooted to the bottom of the table after losing 2-1.

Two goals either side of half-time gave Levante the lead, with a penalty breaking the deadlock just before the interval.

Roger Marti made no mistake from his spot-kick after the 28-year-old was fouled by Dimitrios Siovas.

Jose Campana's free-kick made it 2-0 just four minutes after the restart, and the hosts were deflated despite having 25 shots to the visitors' nine.

Martin Braithwaite's 76th-minute effort gave Leganes a consolation, but La Liga's bottom side are still searching for their first win of the season.

Valencia are up to eighth in the table after a 2-1 victory over Alaves at the Mestalla Stadium.

Los Che had struggled during the opening weeks but have now begun to accumulate points.

Maxi Gomez's 27th-minute opener gave the hosts the lead, and the points appeared to be assured after Daniel Parejo scored from the penalty spot with seven minutes left. The 30-year-old had been fouled by Antonio Sivera, and he picked himself up to double the scoreline.

Lucas Perez made it 2-1 with a minute to play, but Alaves could not produce a magic moment in order to steal a point.

Real Madrid extended their lead at the top of La Liga after beating Granada 4-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. 

Eden Hazard got his first goal for Real, while Karim Benzema and substitute Luka Modric were also on the scoresheet before substitute James Rodriguez added a fourth in stoppage time.

Those goals were enough to help Zinedine Zidane's team win for the fifth time in eight matches, despite Granada answering back with a Darwin Machis penalty and a goal from Domingos Duarte.

Real made a swift start when Bale broke in behind the visitors' defence and crossed for Benzema to convert from close range.

The finish continued the Frenchman's prolific and consistent run in the Spanish top flight this season:

Karim Benzema has now scored six goals in his last seven LaLiga appearances for Real Madrid.

He opens the scoring once again. pic.twitter.com/3CEDMMjhld

— Squawka (@Squawka) October 5, 2019

With 22 goals, @Benzema is now the top scorer in #LaLigaSantander in 2019! 🔥#RealMadridGranada pic.twitter.com/qFgM4q9sh7

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) October 5, 2019

Buoyed by the early goal, the hosts piled on the pressure, with raiding right-back Dani Carvajal getting free on the overlap and drawing a fine save from Rui Silva. Carvajalmaking inroads in the final third showcased the freedom Real were enjoying to move the ball at pace between the lines and commit players forward.

Benzema was the next to go close when the No. 9 dragged a volley into the side netting. Carvajal was again in the mix when Hazard played the defender in, only for Silva to once again stand tall and save.

Real remained in the ascendancy, but their momentum was temporarily stalled when Toni Kroos picked up an injury and had to be withdrawn for Luka Modric.

The home side were back on track in first-half stoppage time when Federico Valverdeworked the ball to Hazard, and the winger deftly lifted the ball over Silva:

Eden Hazard lobs it in for his first goal in Real Madrid threads 💥 @brfootball pic.twitter.com/lDKlkpXbq5

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 5, 2019

It was also a landmark moment for 21-year-old playmaker Valverde:

1 - Fede Valverde has provided his first assist in all competitions after 55 appearances in all competitions (25 for Deportivo and 30 for Real Madrid). Premier. pic.twitter.com/zayRuX3Ixk

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 5, 2019

Hazard has experienced a stop-start beginning to his career in Spain, enduring injury and struggles to get fully fit. However, the Belgium international's goal shows he's starting to imprint his distinctive flair on Real's style of play.

Hazard translated the confidence accrued from his goal into another match-winning combination when he teed up Modric to make it 3-0 a minute after the hour mark.

Real were coasting before Alphonse Areola brought down Carlos Fernandez in the box. Machis stepped up and confidently converted the penalty to offer Granada hope.

Hope became genuine belief in a comeback when Duarte met Victor Diaz's cross with 12 minutes remaining.

Holding on to a slender lead didn't force Real to sink back into a rearguard action. Instead, Benzema and substitute Isco both went close.

Rodriguez, who replaced Bale in the closing stages, made the points safe with a smart finish to cap a flowing counter in the 92nd minute.

⚪️ James Rodriguez's first goal since returning to Real Madrid seals win over Granada. #RealMadridGranada https://t.co/oj7nH6CaOt

— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) October 5, 2019

The Colombian's goal confirmed this as a victory for the strength in depth in Zidane's squad. There is enough talent, particularly in attacking areas, to believe Real will be tough to shift from top spot.

   

What's Next?

Real return to league action after the upcoming international break with a trip to Mallorca on October 19. Meanwhile, Granada will be in action a day earlier when they host Osasuna.