It should have been La Liga’s game of the weekend but 10 positive tests left the high-flyers struggling to field a team
When kick-off finally came around on Sunday, Granada were without their manager, assistant manager, matchday delegate and physio. They didn’t have their captain, vice-captain or goalkeeper. They didn’t have the second keeper either, or the third, or the fourth. Most of all they didn’t have a choice. And by the time the final whistle went on a game they hadn’t wanted to play they didn’t have a team – not a legal one, anyway. When the match finished, there were only four members of the senior squad on the pitch and that breaks the rules, which is why this still might not have ended yet.
Granada’s visit to Anoeta should have been among the games of the weekend, a celebration of the two biggest success stories this season and last: first versus sixth, back from European victories. Instead, it became a cautionary tale, a warning of what will probably happen again in Covid times. A “strange”, “uncomfortable” and “difficult” afternoon in the words of Real Sociedad’s manager, Imanol Alguacil, whose wonderful side – scorers of 14 goals in the previous four matches – returned to the top with a 2-0 win that could become 3-0 if Granada are forced to forfeit the game for fielding an ineligible lineup.
