Three talking points ahead of Granada vs Real Madrid | OneFootball

Of all of the Real Madrid squads to have made it to the UEFA Champions League final over the years, the current crop will go down as one of the most historic.

With barely any megastars in their ranks, Carlo Ancelotti’s side have fought through adversity after adversity to reach the summit clash of the sport.

Every member of the squad has enjoyed a significant role of his own in the process, and words fall short in underlining the team’s run this season across all competitions.

Having downed Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final earlier this week, Los Blancos return to action tomorrow in La Liga where they take on Granada on Matchday 35 of the competition.

Real Madrid have scored 20 goals in their last six games at Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes. Fresh off an exhilarating win in the UCL, the aim will be to keep the momentum running in style.

Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Granada vs Real Madrid.

Enter the Champions

It has been close to a week since Real Madrid were declared the champions of La Liga.

The men in white won convincingly against Cadiz last weekend to take their tally to 87 in the domestic league. Barcelona’s defeat to Girona, however, ensured that their position was unsurmountable, crowning them the kings of Spain.

Los Blancos kept the celebrations on hold for the entire week given that the UEFA Champions League tie against Bayern Munich was yet to be won.

Now having qualified for the finale of the European event, it is high time the weight of their domestic accomplishment soaks into the Merengues’ dressing room.

Tomorrow night, Real Madrid will walk out of the dressing room for the first time this season as the official champions. Securing the result with four games to go only shows the dominance they have exerted all season in La Liga.

As the champions of Spain, one can expect some special energy in the performance of Carlo Ancelotti’s side against Granada. There is not much to play for, but playing as the conquerors and savouring the reward is as important as the journey itself.

Bellingham’s pre-season begins

While Real Madrid’s season has not seen much fluctuation all season, the form of the Merengues’ talisman Jude Bellingham has not endured a uniform trajectory.

After an explosive start to life in Spain, the youngster has fizzled out in recent weeks with a steep decline in his contribution on the field.

Bellingham’s minutes will be carefully managed. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Carlo Ancelotti and Co. have dived deep into the young phenom’s situation and see him to be severely overworked.

A combination of bruises, injuries, and muscular fatigue amongst other factors is said to be the reason why he is unable to return to his best version and the manager is said to be determined to help him recover his peak.

Los Blancos, thus, are looking to play out the next month as a second ‘pre-season’ for Bellingham where his health will be prioritised over everything.

Careful regulation of minutes to keep him in rhythm whilst also ensuring that his body is given enough time to recover is thus the plan of action.

All of that must start from tomorrow’s clash against Granada if the player is to return to his best in time for the Champions League finale at Wembley.

Rotations aplenty

“These matches will help us prepare for the final. I will make rotations, but everyone will play,” Carlo Ancelotti said in his pre-game press conference, confirming that rotations would be normal in the weeks going forward.

Now into the final month of football for the season, it is after all the time for the manager to once again begin experimenting with the various options at his disposal. In the situation, Real Madrid currently bask in, more than ever.

With no pressure on their shoulders and an entire month to prepare for the only game with consequences, the Italian gaffer will look to give his fringe stars more minutes to decide the player he counts on for next season.

The rotations could start right from goal where Thibaut Courtois will make his second start of the season. With rumours floating that Ancelotti wishes to start him against Borussia Dortmund, he could well have a prominent role in the weeks to come.

Eder Militao is in a similar situation and could progressively enjoy more prominence across May. Arda Guler, Dani Ceballos, Joselu, Lucas Vazquez, and Fran Garcia are some of the other players who can expect a larger role starting tomorrow.

Finally, with the futures of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos still uncertain, their minutes in rotation over the next month will have a special place in the hearts of fans. After all, it is unknown if they will don the white colour next season.