📝 Match report

Granada provisionally reached fourth position in LaLiga Hypermotion with their fourth consecutive victory, at Nuevo Los Cármenes beating Valladolid 2-1, in a match where the red-and-whites looked superior from the first minute until the opposition nearly ruined the whole thing with a point-blank strike. Alberto Flores pulled off a brilliant save in the opening minutes, sparing Granada an early setback when there wasn't even time to catch your breath. Sergio Rodelas put Granada ahead with a headed finish from the centre of the box that went in off the right post, after a cross from José Arnáiz—a move that summed up the first half perfectly: Granada on top, Valladolid hunting for any mistake they could exploit. During that spell, Granada had several chances to extend their lead, with shots that forced Valladolid keeper Álvaro Aceves to get busy at least four times.

But Segunda División is a treacherous place where no advantage is safe if you stop playing, and Granada learned that lesson in the second half when Valladolid came out like they'd been given a completely different mission. Valladolid came out far stronger after the break, had a chance to score twice that Alberto Flores denied against Barbera and Adrián Arnu, and levelled around the hour mark with a well-placed finish from Iván Garriel. Suddenly, the match was interesting again, perhaps even dangerous for the red-and-whites. But Pacheta did his tactical homework, Granada reacted, and it was all wrapped up in just ten minutes. Granada made it 2-1 in the 67th minute with a header from Jorge Pascual following a superb delivery from Gerard Gumbau—a goal that came at exactly the right moment: when Valladolid were starting to believe they'd win it.

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The red card straight dismissal for visiting David Torres in the 98th minute came when everything was already decided, a card that simply put the full stop on an afternoon where Granada proved their run is the real deal. Four consecutive Second Division victories aren't down to luck, though in a tournament as demanding as this one, next matchday always hurts more. Valladolid, meanwhile, remain stuck in the lower reaches unable to win away from home, and that tells you everything.

By Elopi23

Result

Granada CF and Real Valladolid have already met on matchday 11. The score is above; the report and full stats will be expanded.