Real Madrid News
Brahim Diaz reacts after MOTM display in Real Madrid 2-0 Granada: “Almost a perfect game”
Real Madrid climbed back to the top of the La Liga standings after securing a comfortable 2-0 win over Granada at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Los Blancos had slipped down to the second place briefly as Girona had beaten Valencia earlier today, and it was up to Carlo Ancelotti’s men to get the job done.
And, that is exactly what they did against a relegation-battling Granada, putting in a controlling performance to walk away with all three points.
Brahim Diaz handed Real Madrid the lead with a lovely finish after being played through by a stunning pass from Toni Kroos. Rodrygo added the second goal in the second period, extending his brilliant run of form.
Diaz was named the Man of the Match for a brilliant all-round display on the evening and the 24-year-old, who has been impressing everyone at Real Madrid, spoke to the club media after the match.
Analysing the performance and the win, the Spaniard said (h/t AS): “It was a great win for everyone and the fans pushed us to that first goal. It was almost a perfect game. We dominated and they created few chances.
“If I remember correctly, they didn’t shoot on goal. We were very focused and that’s the work of the whole team.”
Discussing his stunning goal, Diaz admitted that it was a fine finish from him, but gave the credit to Kroos for his beautiful assist, saying:
“It was a brilliant finish, I’m happy, but it’s a credit to Toni, who sees the pass that nobody else sees. You only have to see him on the pitch, how he looks for the team-mate. He is spectacular.”
“We see him in training and today I had to clean his boots,” he added, referring to their celebration after the goal.
After speaking to the club’s media, Diaz also chatted with other outlets, where he discussed his pleasure at finally getting regular minutes under Ancelotti.
“I am very happy, for the team and also for the goal. You can see how happy I am. I want to keep playing. There is a lot of talent in the team. You can see the team we have, we’re all on the same page and we’re very hungry,” he said (h/t MARCA).
On what he has asked to do by Ancelotti, the 24-year-old said: “The coach tells us to move around a lot because we are not very tall.”
Diaz then went on to credit his teammates for helping him, saying: “I’m focused on always contributing to the team. The teammates make it a lot easier.”
There was also some praise for Jude Bellingham, who went without a goal tonight, as Diaz said: “We are delighted with Jude. He’s a very good player and a very good person. I get on very well with him.”
Real Madrid News
Rayo Vallecano manager names the one Real Madrid figure he would remove from the team
Rayo Vallecano face a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on a wounded Real Madrid this weekend.
Life after Inigo Perez has not been kind to the Vallecas-based club, who have already had to travel to Camp Nou and now face a trip to the home of their city giants.
Speaking ahead of the game (h/t Madrid Xtra), Rayo Vallecano manager Benat San Jose was asked which Real Madrid player he would like to remove from the team before this weekend’s game.
Surprisingly, his choice was not Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior or Thibaut Courtois.
“Mourinho”
Asked which Madrid player he would take out of the upcoming contest, Benat jokingly chose the man sitting on the opposition bench.
“Which Real Madrid player I’d remove from the match against them? Mourinho,” Benat said with a laugh.
The answer might have been delivered jokingly, but the Rayo coach immediately made clear just how highly he rates the Portuguese manager.
“He’s one of the best managers in history,” he added.
It is significant praise ahead of Saturday’s meeting at the Bernabeu.
Madrid’s squad contains enough individual quality to give any opposition coach several obvious answers, but Benat instead highlighted the influence Mourinho can have over the entire team.
That has become particularly relevant since the Portuguese coach returned to Madrid. His early work has focused on making a talented group function with greater collective discipline.
Courtois and Madrid’s attack also praised
Benat did not stop with the manager.
“They also have one of the best GKs in history and one of the best attackers in history,” he said.
Benat will definitely have seen how Thibaut Courtois played against Inter Milan in midweek and will hope that version does not turn up again this weekend.
Even when teams manage to create opportunities against Madrid, they still have to beat one of the defining goalkeepers of his generation.
At the opposite end, Madrid possess attacking quality capable of turning a match on its head.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham can all decide matches single-handedly.
Madrid have a point to prove
Madrid are coming off a disappointing loss to Real Betis in La Liga last weekend and will come into this game with a point to prove.
They will want to ensure that the loss to the Andalusian club was a one-off and that they return to winning ways against Rayo.
Their title rivals, Barça, have been flying high in the league, scoring goals and picking opponents apart for fun.
Madrid need to ensure that they do not hand too much early incentive to Barça, and it remains to be seen how Los Blancos fare against Rayo Vallecano.
