“Are you sure this team isn’t capable of anything?” “The status of comeback is declared”. Motivational messages from Granada on their social networks that invite that it is possible to turn the tie against the powerful Manchester United.
“As they did not know that it was impossible, they did it” is an anonymous phrase that Diego Martínez often uses to explain the spirit of improvement of this Granada.
For all this we are going to present 12 reasons to believe that overcoming the 0-2 against the ‘reds devils’ is possible.
1-Another semifinal for Soldier. The forward reached the penultimate continental round with three Spanish teams: Osasuna (2006-07), Valencia (2011-12) and Villarreal (2015-16). Sevilla, Atlético and Liverpool prevented their then clubs from reaching the final. Eliminating United will mark the fourth semifinal for Soldado who has scored continental goals with six teams; the aforementioned Osasuna, Valencia, Villarreal, Granada plus Real Madrid and Tottenham. Record man.
2-Be the Spanish semifinalist number 16. These are the 15 Spanish teams that, to date, have managed to be among the four best in continental competition: Real Madrid, Atlético, Barcelona, Espanyol, Valencia, Villarreal, Athletic, Real Sociedad, Osasuna, Alavés, Zaragoza, Deportivo, Mallorca , Tenerife and Seville. To these we can add Málaga and Celta who won the Intertoto (a tournament that gave the right to play what is now the Europa League and which disappeared in 2009).
3-Second among the four best Andalusians after Sevilla. The Nervión team is the only Andalusian team that reached the semi-finals. Málaga, Betis and Granada are capped at the quarterfinals. The people of Granada want to follow in the footsteps of the Sevilla fans.
4-Gonalons lived a historic comeback. The French midfielder lived through this feat with Roma when he came back from an adverse 4-1 against Barcelona, winning 3-0 with the remembered goal by Manolas. Gonalons played a few minutes in the first leg and was on the bench in the second leg. But he lived it like the most. It would be his third semifinals. In 2011 he did it with Olympique de Lyon.
5-The most veteran semifinalist. Jorge Molina is the second oldest scorer in the history of the Europa League, 38 years and 323 days, only surpassed by Daniel Hestad, of Celtic, with 40 years and 98 days in 2015-16. The one from Alcoy can beat another longevity record in his second youth.
6-Machís can roll it up. The Venezuelan resumed ownership in Valladolid after a time injured and did so as a locomotive. It is a marvel in that one-on-one play where he comes out of one of his great dribbles and shoots first. It can give Manchester United the night.
7-50 matches are nothing. This will be the round number of matches that Granada will add at Old Trafford. An extra motivation for a team that is making history.
8-You have to leave UEFA well. This has put the highest body of European football on its official account. “What a marvel Granada’s European campaign in the Europa League! It’s his first continental season and he’s in the quarter-finals fighting the mighty Manchester United! Do not let them down …
9-Rui Silva. The Portuguese has saved four of the 13 penalties (two of them in the Europa League) that have been whistled at Granada. If you had to resort to this kind of sudden death from eleven meters, English shooters will not have it easy.
10- Significant absences. It is true that Diego will not be able to count on Eteki and Duarte due to sanction. But Solskjaer will not have Shaw, Maguire and McTomilay for this same reason. Three heavyweight players.
11-Eternal Fight. This is Granada’s motto, the one that gives it wings when things get complicated. This team has more than earned the admiration of Spain and the recognition of Europe.
12-And, of course, Diego Martínez. The Vigo coach is preparing the game with the meticulousness that characterizes him. And he is sure to surprise his imposing adversary. He wants to make the impossible possible.