Return of James Rodriguez-Luka Modric Tandem Sparks Real Madrid in Granada Rout

The build up wasn't quite to the magnitude of that for El Clasico—not 32 pages worth—but considering most of if focused on just one player, it was still hefty.

"James the jellifier," led Marca on Friday, anticipating the return of James Rodriguez from injury for Real Madrid's clash with Granada. 

It was just one of four headlines in one day on the Colombian, Carlo Ancelotti's "golden boy," as he was dubbed by the Madrid-based daily.

"James's goal-den goodbye," came next, as Marca reflected on his stunning goal against Sevilla that preceded his injury. Naturally, another piece quickly followed, with the paper claiming: "James, La Liga's top newbie until his injury."

Then came "James Rodriguez hits the mark," in which some footage from training was displayed (AS ran it too), showing Rodriguez smashing a ball into the net with a volley.

And when Saturday arrived, the message was simple: "James to start."

Even if you weren't a football fan, if you'd landed in Madrid in the last few days, you'd have quickly known who James Rodriguez was.

The anticipation, of course, was understandable. In little more than six months, the World Cup sensation had, in the eyes of the club's followers, gone from unnecessary to essential. Versatile, hardworking and sumptuously skilful, Madrid's latest Galactico had completely won the Bernabeu over by February—maybe even earlier than that. 

But then, at home against Sevilla, he broke a bone in his right foot as Los Blancos moved four points clear at the top of La Liga. 

Forced to the sidelines, he sat inactive alongside Luka Modric. 

And just like that, not at all coincidentally, Real Madrid's midfield fell apart. The goals dried up. The team's form disintegrated.

No wonder then that, as Rodriguez prepared for his return against Granada, Marca essentially became James for a few days.

But it was over at AS where the key point was hit. "James, Kroos and Modric: a trio with plenty of triumphs," wrote J.L.Guerrero on Sunday, highlighting the effectiveness of Ancelotti's first-choice midfield three—a trio not seen together since November.

Most influential among that triumvirate to the success of this Real Madrid team, though, are Rodriguez and Modric. 

Together for the first time in five months, Sunday's 9-1 thrashing of Granada was a neat example of why.

Recently, we've watched the European champions labour through games, looking bereft of ideas, creativity and, most alarmingly, an identifiable plan. As the season has gone on, Kroos has appeared exhausted. Sami Khedira looks awkward in the system. Asier Illarramendi can't buy continuity. Lucas Silva hasn't had an impact. 

Without the Rodriguez-Modric tandem, Isco was left as the sole creator—a role he performed admirably, but one in which he's still far from flawless. 

And when you're playing with three out-and-out forwards in a top-heavy side, the midfield has to be extraordinarily efficient—a seamless link.

Basically, it has to run like clockwork.

Daniel Tejedor/Associated Press

At the Bernabeu on Sunday, it did.

From the opening minute, the ball fizzed around the pitch to the men in white. Up and back. Side to side. Corner to corner.

Led by Rodriguez and Modric, there was an immediate rhythm to Real Madrid's play. Never did the ball stick to a player's feet. Never did it labour up one side. Never did it get passed aimlessly around Granada's 18-yard box.

Instead, Los Blancos' ball movement was crisp and incisive. The forwards' eyes lit up. Passes were being hit after one or two touches, not five or six. 

Most notable was how swiftly the ball was delivered to the feet of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. Whenever Sergio Ramos or Marcelo played passes into midfield, Rodriguez and Modric redirected the ball to the team's biggest weapons in an instant.

The result?

Space—Real Madrid's best friend. 

Getty Images

Indeed, it's that commodity that was prevalent amid Los Blancos' early-season charge. When teams were being blown away between September and November, the sight of a dashing Ronaldo or a galloping Bale was a common one.

Such sights have since become increasingly less frequent. But Sunday's emphatic torching of Granada showed they're likely to reappear. For at the Bernabeu, Rodriguez and Modric are unique in being highly influential while concurrently being efficient. They don't need two touches to become balanced. They don't need three openings to emerge before hitting a defence-splitting ball.

The pair power this Real Madrid outfit because their actions and decisions are instant. They operate as the ultimate facilitators of this team because of the speed at which they make it play.

And like the evaporation of Real's form amid their layoffs, the extraordinary haul of nine goals upon their return as a tandem is no coincidence.

Follow @TimDCollins