LaLiga focus: We look at how Granada have shocked Spain by moving to the top of the table

Ten matches into the season, Granada sit atop the LaLiga standings. The newly-promoted Andalusians are back in the top tier for the first time since relegation in 2017 and are in only their 24th season in the first division, but have proved themselves capable of keeping up with the likes of LaLiga heavyweights Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and Valencia, even going as far as beating the reigning champions 2-0 earlier this season.

Almost 50 years on from the 1970s, the club’s golden era during which time they developed a reputation as ‘giant-killers’ and temporarily led the top flight for the only time in their history (in 1973), Granada have once again risen to the very top. But how?

Here are five reasons why Granada have proved all their doubters wrong to lead the way in LaLiga after ten games.

Coach Diego Martinez

When looking for the success factors behind the current Granada side, the first port of call should be their coach, Diego Martinez. Vigo-born Martinez is in his first season at the helm of a LaLiga Santander club and is also the youngest coach in the division at just 38 years of age.

Following an unspectacular playing career he was spotted by Sevilla Director of Football Monchi and worked his way up the youth ranks, going on to win the Europa League in 2014 as part of Unai Emery’s backroom staff. After securing promotion to LaLiga SmartBank for Sevilla Atletico (the club’s reserve side), he took charge at Osasuna in 2017 before joining Granada a year later.

And it’s at Granada where he’s really proved himself as an adept tactician and motivator. In just over a season he’s put together a solid, ambitious and tactically-flexible side with limited resources. A team very much in his mould.

Solidity and solidarity

“I’m proud of this team, of the selflessness shown by Carlos Fernandez for Vadillo’s goal, Soldado’s high work rate, the encouragement of Adrian Ramos… ,” said Diego Martinez in the post-match press conference following their 1-0 win over Real Betis this weekend.

The Granada squad is without doubt a family, a tight-knit group of players with everything to prove and nothing to lose. Six matches unbeaten, something only Atletico de Madrid have managed this season. The key formula in Granada’s play? Solidity and solidarity.

They've score more goals than Atletico and Real (17)

They may be a solid in defence but that doesn’t mean they can’t attack. In fact, they’re the division’s third-highest goalscorers with 17, behind just Villarreal CF (24) and FC Barcelona (23). Their efficiency both at the back and up front has led them to six wins (four on the trot at home), 17 goals and just 10 conceded.

That’s more goals scored than the likes of Real Madrid (16) and Atletico de Madrid (10). And, importantly, they’re not overly reliant on a single goalscorer as many newly-promoted sides are. Their top scorer this season is Antonio Puertas with three goals, while ten different players have got on the scoresheet this league campaign.

Security between the sticks: Rui Silva

Granada may be firing on all cylinders up front but they’ve also a grand asset in goal. Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Silva is a key figure in the squad both on and off the pitch, having conceded just ten goals in ten games, making him the keeper with the fourth-least goals conceded in LaLiga Santander so far this season. He currently stands ahead of world-class stoppers such as Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, among others.

An incredible 2-0 win over Barcelona

The calendar wasn’t necessarily kind to Granada at the start of the season, pitting them against some of LaLiga’s most established sides early on. But the newly-promoted side haven’t baulked at the challenge.

A thrilling 4-4 draw on the opening day of the season away at high-flying Villarreal was followed by a narrow but creditable 1-0 loss at Sevilla but then, crucially, by an impressive 2-0 win over champions Barcelona and a 1-0 win over Real Betis in this weekend’s Andalusian derby. With results like that, it’s no surprise to see Granada where they are… top of the table.

Watch all the LaLiga Santander action this midweek live on LaLigaTV via Premier Sports.

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