Real Madrid vs. Granada: Win Proves Madrid's Slow La Liga Start Meaningless

Real Madrid supporters began to worry when their beloved team stumbled out of the gate and started the 2012-13 La Liga season with a loss and a draw, but a convincing victory over Granada has shown that there is little to be concerned over.

Cristiano Ronaldo gave the Galátcticos a 2-0 lead with his first two goals in league play this season, and Gonzalo Higuaín came on as a substitute to score his third goal in three matches for Madrid.

With these two players proving to be sharp in the attacking third, Madrid will slowly climb back into contention with Barcelona as the team shoots for its second consecutive La Liga title.

In the opening fixture against Valencia, Madrid took 24 shots, put nine of them on target but only scored once. Higuaín took his team’s only successful strike in the 10th minute and the defense conceded a goal just before half time, forcing the team to walk away with just one point.

Madrid followed up the draw with a shocking 2-1 defeat to Getafe in which the team took 15 shots.

While the Galátcticos were finding their form, Barcelona was handling lesser La Liga teams just as they should have been, earning all nine possible points. However, Madrid’s last two games include a 2-1 victory over their arch rivals to win the Spanish Super Cup and this 3-0 victory.

Top teams have a gruelingly long season with league matches, Champions League fixtures, domestic cup ties and other obligations. There will be a few disappointing performances, but they often end up as meaningless results.

This is exactly how Madrid’s performances against Valencia and Getafe will be remembered. Looking back on this season, the victory over Barça in the Super Cup will be the only memorable matches from this portion of the schedule. 

Madrid is back on track now, and the race for the La Liga title will once again be a thrilling affair.