Real grenade for Granada
Swaggering La Liga champs rout relegated side
BARCELONA: Spanish champions Real Madrid romped to a 4-0 victory over relegated Granada to get their title celebrations started on Saturday.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side will parade the league trophy on Sunday in the Spanish capital and a side filled with reserves made light work of the downtrodden Andalusians.
Brahim Diaz struck twice with Fran Garcia and Arda Guler also on target for Real, who defeated Bayern Munich in midweek to reach the Champions League final.
Los Blancos secured their 36th Spanish title last weekend with four games to spare, but chose not to celebrate to focus on the Bayern clash.
A late brace from substitute Joselu setin tled that match dramatic fashion and the Spaniard started up front against Granada, with only Antonio Rudiger selected from the side that beat the German giants.
“The objective is to arrive with the squad all at their best for the day of the final, and we will do it,” said Ancelotti.
After Paris St Germain striker Kylian Mbappe confirmed Friday he was leaving the French side, many Real fans are also thinking about his closely rumoured arrivcoach al.
However, Real Ancelotti only has the Champions League final in London in mind.
“It’s not a topic I’m thinking about at the moment,” added Ancelotti.
“We have to celebrate tomorrow with our fans and until June 1 we know exactly what we have to think about.”
Granada, 19th, were relegated before kick-off after Mallorca beat Las Palmas to ensure the Andalusians could not escape the drop zone.
Their players gave Real Madrid a guard of honour and Los Blancos went on to demonstrate the focus
nd that drove them on to the title, even with nothing on the line now. Victory sent them 15 points clear of second-placed Girona.
Real took the lead after 38 minutes when Diaz cut the ball across the six-yard box and Garcia arrived to stroke home.
The leftback turned creator for Real’s second goal in stoppage time before the break, feeding Turkish teenager Guler, who took a touch to control and a second to fire into the bottom corner.
Real maintained their dominance in the second half and extended their lead after 49 minutes.
Tricky playmaker Diaz ran through from the halfway line and fired home as the defence stood off.
The Morocco international added the fourth after a neat team move, finishing comfortably after veteran midfielder Luka Modric teed him up.