Bittersweet symphony for Real

Real Madrid left Granada with mixed feelings. They won the match and played well at times, even with the unprecedented line-up: Isco and Modric in midfield. Some of the critical issues the squad will face this season were very evident. Özil played as poorly as the players that have recently left the club, which is seriously bad news for Real Madrid, as he is a cracking player.

The German was substituted and probably it was the right decision, but as he stormed off down the tunnel he looked visibly annoyed by it. Bale's signing, which Florentino Pérez believes is strategic for the club both from a sporting and marketing point of view, will probably have important knock-on effects.

There are different ways of interpreting Real Madrid's uneven performance at the match. Xabi Alonso's absence was crucial. The team still lacks the tempo the Basque player usually sets. He is one of the few midfielders who decides in no uncertain terms, exactly how the game is to be played – the others being Busquets and Pirlo. In Granada his role was played by Modric. Isco was at his side. Ancelotti's midfield plan, then, is becoming quite clear to all.

Modric is certainly not Alonso, but he does play very well. He has sufficient charisma to be considered a great distributor of the ball, as well as a talented defender. A committed grafter in the team, in Granada the Croat was one of Real Madrid's top three players, together with Isco and Di Maria.