Survival is the aim of the game for most in La Liga. The drop in income between La Liga and the Segunda is huge, there is no parachute payments like in other leagues and the prize money and TV deals are fractions of what they are in La Liga which isn't saying much.
Granada are a side embroiled in a battle to stay up. Promoted back to the Primera in 2011 they have managed to survive until now. Last season's last day escape from the drop was mission accomplished and at the start of this season they had ambitions to move a bit further up into mid-table. However they have endured a torrid campaign. They are lowest scorers in the division and with 23 points face an uphill task to be in the primera next season. Goalscoring being an obvious weakness no one in the team has more than four goals this season.
Easter Sunday they faced a trip to Madrid to face Real Madrid in a game that offered very little in the way of potential points. The idea was to pack the midfield and keep the score down and not let confidence be broken too much ahead of crucial games with Celta and Almería this week.
What transpired was completely the opposite. Coach Abel Resino started with a 4-2-3-1 which didn't look too bad in the first 25 minutes in fact they had a few chances. However the ease of which Gareth Bale scored the opener was concerning. From there Granada simply gave up, maybe conserving energy for Wednesday's game against Celta. The defending from Granada after that 1st goal went in does back up that claim. It was like they weren't bothered about the final score as long as they didn't risk too much in the way of injuries or needless bookings chasing shadows.
Granada decided to keep regulars on the bench. Regular right-back Alain Nyom started and stayed on the bench, Javi Márquez likewise, keeper Roberto wasn't needed. Playmaker Piti came on in the 2nd half as did regular centre back Jeison Murillo. With the game well beyond over regular midfielder Fran Rico was spared from the fire replaced by a rookie in Israfilov.
However it doesn't do the league any credit whatsoever when Real are blowing away below-strength cash strapped sides. If Atlético were going for the title again this season would they have appreciated Granada throwing in the towel before even setting foot in the ground gifting Real three points. Let's be honest this 9-1 says more about Granada's mentality and focus than it does Madrid being brilliant. Madrid were always going to get the points. La Liga has unfortunately become a rather predictable league with Barcelona and Real Madrid fighting out for the title among themselves. With the league seemingly sitting on their hands in the quest for a collective TV rights deal to make the league a little more interesting, it seems Barcelona and Real Madrid will continue to have their way.
For Granada, just what kind of damage the 9-1 demolition will do to confidence will be seen in the next few weeks as the season enters the final run-in. They have some crucial clashes with teams that are also fighting the drop. They face Almería directed above them next weekend in what is a massive game for their season. With games against Espanyol, Getafe and Córdoba on the horizon Granada will be judged on these kind of games against sides they can take points off of in their quest to stay up.
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