Real Madrid defeated Granada thanks to Marco Asensio’s specialty, a beautiful long-distance goal in the 74th minute of the match. The hosts struggled heavily to beat the team that will have a close fight for survival, but in the end they still managed to use Sevilla’s new mistake (0-0 against Osasuna) and increase the advantage to six points at the top of the La Liga table.Chance after chance, Los Blancos besieged Granada’s penalty area but the ball did not go into the net. Carlo Ancelotti’s experiment with Isco as a ‘false nine’ did not turn out to be the best, because everything in the game of Real Madrid revolved around Asensio. He had two more attempts before he scored – the first one ended up hitting the post, while the second one was saved by the guest goalkeeper Luis Maximiano.Xavi’s new Barca leapfrog Atletico, hammering them thanks to the first-half perfect storm at Camp NouAncelotti started the second half by introducing Federico Valverde, and the midfielder had an immediate impact on the game, his aggressive pressing and forward runs instantly giving Granada issues. Just past the 50th minute, Luka Modric nearly gave the home side the lead.The Italian also realized that it will not work well with Isco, so he sent Luka Jovic onto the pitch alongside Eden Hazard. Two football players paid a total of over 200 million USD brought an injection of intensity to the attacking third. After his first touch of the ball, Hazard set it up for Jović, but the ball rumbled by post. The Serbian had one more chance to score but again without success.Granada’s backline was finally exposed by Asensio in the 74th minute – after the visitors could only half-clear their lines, the ball fell to the Spaniard just outside the box, and he rifled home a powerful shot that evaded Luís Maximiano between the sticks.The ‘Royal Club’ are slowly marching toward being crowned La Liga champions, seeing Sevilla six points behind in second place. On the other end, this defeat sees Granada stay in 16th place as they attempt to stave off relegation to the second tier.LA LIGA – ROUND 23FridayGetafe – Levante 3-0 (2-0)/Unal 1, 29, Alena 90+5/SaturdayElche – Deportivo Alaves 3-1 (0-1)/Milla 46, 58, Fidel 86 – Joselu 18/Real Mallorca – Cadiz 2-1 (1-1)/Sevilla 20 pen, Muriqi 66 pen – Alcaraz 8/Celta Vigo – Rayo Vallecano 2-0 (1-0)/Mendez 12, 80/Osasuna – Sevilla 0-0SundayValencia – Real Sociedad 0-0Barcelona – Atletico Madrid 4-2 (3-1)/Alba 10, Gavi 21, Araujo 43, Alves 49 – Carrasco 8, Suarez 58/Real Betis – Villarreal 0-2 (0-1)/Pau Torres 41, Capoue 83/Real Madrid – Granada 1-0 (0-0)/Asensio 74/Monday:23:00 Athletic Club – Espanyol***odds are subject to change
