Real Madrid 4-2 Granada: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis | La Liga 2019/20

#4 Eden Hazard and Luka Modric announce themselves on the La Liga stage

Modric stepped in well for Kroos

A major part of Real Madrid’s summer comprised of a long-running transfer saga involving Eden Hazard. Eventually, though, they got the deal over the line, meaning that the Belgian became the Galactico signing the Santiago Bernabeu faithful were craving for.

However, that early excitement has fizzled away rather swiftly, courtesy a string of uninspiring performances from the forward. The former Chelsea man had previously looked bright in patches but hadn’t been able to provide the decisiveness or the thrust in the offensive third.

Though Hazard didn’t particularly set the world ablaze on Saturday too, he ensured that he scored a goal and set up Luka Modric’s sublime effort.

The Belgian started a little sluggishly but there were moments in the match signalling that he might finally be buying into the philosophy at Madrid. Moreover, he was willing to roll up his sleeves and carry out his defensive duties, thereby easing the pressure on Carvajal.

As for Modric, the midfielder was cast into action after Toni Kroos went off injured in the first half. While the Croatian failed to impose himself in the remainder of the period, he took his performance up a notch in the succeeding 45 minutes.

The current Ballon d’Or holder dictated the tempo of the game and sprayed passes all across the pitch. Additionally, he was willing to play a more withdrawn role in the absence of Kroos. He also popped up with a magnificent strike from distance to give the hosts a 3-0 lead.

In the nascent stages of the 2019-20 season, a majority of Real Madrid’s star players have failed to live up to the billing. While some have been sidelined with injuries, others have just not been at their best.

However, with Hazard and Modric producing accomplished displays on Saturday, there may be a hint of sunshine on the horizon, after all.