October 5, 2019. Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid, with a strong squad and the status of one of the best clubs in the world, confidently leads the championship. However, on this day they will face Granada, a team that has shown itself to be a real sensation at the start of the season. Fans and experts predict that Real will easily cope with their opponent, but already in the first half it becomes obvious that Granada is ready for the fight. From the first minutes of the match, Granada demonstrates active pressing, trying to prevent Real from developing their game. They successfully close off zones, which makes Real players panic and make hasty decisions. During the first half, Granada creates several dangerous moments, and here Thibaut Courtois comes to the fore. The Real goalkeeper makes several spectacular saves – his confident play allows the team not to lose heart in a difficult situation. Despite this, Courtois finds himself under fire, with many fans and analysts beginning to question his ability to manage the game and protect the goal.
In the second half, Real Madrid tries to take the initiative into their own hands, but Granada continues to surprise with their organized play. They cleverly use counterattacks and create a threat near Real Madrid’s goal. Every time Courtois gets the ball, the crowd holds its breath. Granada’s desire to demonstrate their abilities becomes noticeable, and their confidence grows. As time goes by, it becomes clear that Granada is not just playing to hold on, but is striving for victory. They begin to create more and more chances, and the tension among the spectators in the stands increases. Real Madrid fans begin to worry, realizing that, despite their status as favorites, their team is in for a tough fight.
And then, in the 70th minute of the match, Real Madrid manages to score a goal. However, this moment causes controversy among the fans. The referee, after a long deliberation, calls a foul in the attack, which leads to heated discussions. Granada fans feel cheated and demand justice. This only heats up the atmosphere in the stadium, where passions reach the limit. In the final minutes of the match, Real Madrid try to strengthen their position, but Granada are not going to give up. Each attack becomes more dangerous, and Courtois once again shows his skills, making several outstanding saves. His efforts allow Real to keep the important three points, but at the end of the match, many fans leave the stadium with a feeling of uncertainty.
Despite the victory, the game leaves many questions about the future of Real Madrid. Critics discuss how the team can improve the communication between the players and increase the stability of the game. At the same time, Granada receives deserved applause for their courageous play and fighting spirit. This match becomes a landmark for both clubs, highlighting the importance of teamwork and the ability to adapt under high pressure. So, October 5, 2019, the Santiago Bernabéu will be remembered as the day when Granada proved that they are a force to be reckoned with and Real Madrid must think about how to regain their former confidence and dominance on the pitch.
In the 12th minute, after a mistake by Casemiro, Granada gets a chance that could turn into a real disaster for Real. Granada’s Pucci finds himself one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois. At this moment, the stadium freezes and all eyes are on the goalkeeper. He quickly leaves the goal, demonstrating composure and confidence. At the decisive moment, Courtois makes a brilliant save, deflecting a shot with his foot. This could have been the first goal for the visitors, but thanks to the actions of the Belgian, Real stays in the game. The fans in the stands explode with applause, but the joy lasts only a second. Granada is not going to stop there. They continue to attack, actively using the flanks and putting pressure on the Real defense. Each of their attacks becomes more and more dangerous, and the Real players are starting to get nervous. Courtois, meanwhile, continues to show leadership, encouraging his defenders and organizing the game from behind.
As time goes on, Granada begins to realize their strength and confidently control the ball. They use every opportunity to put Real under pressure. At this time, a real battle is unfolding on the pitch. Players from both teams show not only physical strength, but also tactical ingenuity. Real tries to establish combinations in attack, but Granada closes the zones, not allowing the Madrid team to turn around. Courtois is again in the center of the action. Soon after the first save, he saves the team again, parrying a dangerous shot from outside the penalty area. These moments underline how important his role is in the team. However, despite his skill, Real still has many problems ahead. The players cannot find a common language, and this worries the coach.
By the middle of the first half, Real begins to change. The coach decides to make adjustments to the game, calling on the players to be more aggressive in attack. The team starts to use the flanks more often, but the Granada defenders confidently cope with their attempts. The spectators in the stands begin to express discontent, and the atmosphere becomes tense. In the 30th minute of the match, Real organizes its first real attack. Benzema receives the ball on the corner of the penalty area and, having beaten the defender, shoots into the far corner. However, the Granada goalkeeper also shows his skills, pulling the ball out of the corner. This encourages the visiting team, and they begin to press again. With each passing minute of the match, it becomes more and more clear that Granada are not going to just defend. They begin to act more boldly, and soon create another dangerous attack. Courtois is again at his best, but it is clear that Real need a change. At half-time, the coach has a serious talk with the players, demanding more confidence and concentration from them.
In the second half, Real Madrid comes out with renewed energy. They understand that they cannot afford to drop points at home. The fans cheer the team on, creating an incredible atmosphere. Soon, Real Madrid begins to dominate the center of the field, and the game begins to turn in their favor. However, Granada continues to defend stubbornly, and the battle becomes more and more intense. Courtois becomes not only a savior, but also a source of confidence for the entire team. His actions highlight the importance of the goalkeeper in modern football. Each of his saves not only saves the goal, but also lifts the spirits of the players. In such moments, it becomes clear that without him, Real could have found itself in a difficult situation.
In the 45th minute, as the first half draws to a close, Courtois suddenly asks to be substituted. His departure from the field causes confusion among both the spectators and his teammates. Alphonse Areola, the reserve goalkeeper, comes on, taking charge at such a tense moment. At first, the reason for the substitution is explained by a “stomach ailment”, but the situation quickly becomes surrounded by rumors. The Spanish press, known for its attention to detail and penchant for sensationalism, immediately picks up on this story. Within a few days, Real Madrid’s game against Granada becomes the main topic of discussion. Journalists begin to analyze not only what happened in the match, but also Courtois’s general state. Some sources claim that the goalkeeper may have psychological problems, perhaps even depression. Other journalists begin to investigate possible discontent within the club, saying that Courtois may be under pressure from the management and coaching staff.
Speculation is growing, with headlines like “Courtois on the brink” and “What’s going on with the Real Madrid goalkeeper?” appearing in newspapers. Fans are taking to social media to share their opinions and concerns. Some fans are supportive of Courtois, while others are unhappy with his performance, believing that his form is not up to scratch. Areola, meanwhile, is entering the game, and his debut in this match is accompanied by tension. He knows that he must take responsibility and show that he can be a reliable support for the team. The first half of the second half is tense, Granada players continue to increase the pressure, and Areola soon gets the chance to show his abilities. He makes several good saves, which helps calm the situation on the pitch and restore confidence to the team.
