x

Barca blow chance to go top after home loss to Granada

FC Barcelona missed the chance to go top of La Liga with just five games left when they were stunned 2-1 by Granada at Camp Nou on Thursday night.

Although Barca controlled most of the ball and had the majority of the chances, two defensive lapses did them in.

They allowed Darwin Machis and Jorge Molina to overturn Leo Messi’s opener for the home side.

But they remain third in the table, two points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.

With a difficult visit to Valencia on Sunday, FC Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman made three changes to his starting 11.

Samuel Umtiti, Ilaix Moriba and Sergi Roberto came in for Clement Lenglet, Pedri, and Sergino Dest.

As expected, Barca controlled the ball, but they could not test Aaron in the Granada goal until the 20th minute.

Three minutes later, Antoine Griezmann, who is in his best form of the season, set up Leo Messi to put Barca ahead.

It was the French forward’s seventh assist of the season.

Griezmann and Messi combined again shortly afterward, only for Messi to drag his shot wide and with Barca in the ascendency.

Aaron did magnificently to deny Messi when he was able to deflect the ball just wide after a pass from Sergio Busquets.

The second half began with Griezmann shooting just wide from the edge of the Granada penalty area.

Shortly after, Sergi Roberto fired just over the bar after a flowing move involving Messi and Frenkie de Jong.

The home side looked to be in complete control as they stroked the ball around.

But they were caught flat-footed in the 63rd minute when Oscar Mingueza failed to cut out a through ball.

It allowed Darwin Machis to race forward and beat Marc Andre Ter Stegen and level the scores.

Koeman was sent off for his protests, but TV replays showed there was no offside in the move.

Although his side again took control after Ousmane Dembele and Pedri came into the game, Jorge Molina again made Barca pay for more poor defending.

This was when he nodded home Granada’s second goal in the 80th minute completely unmarked from five metres out.

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalistAs...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

WOMAN empowers over 70 Women in Yenagoa

From Rhoda Nnachi, YenagoaIn commemoration of the International Women's...

Nigeria At Crossroads: Underpinnings Of Good Governance, Encumbered By Leadership Quagmire

PATRICK WEMAMBUJohn Maxwell, celebrated American Author and Speaker could...

House Public Accounts Committee Recovers ₦28.7 Billion for the Federation in One Week

Secures Additional ₦199.3 Million from Zenith Bank, GTB Through...

Eha-Amufu indigenes in Enugu debunk allegation of recent mass killings, arson

… I’m alive, rape victim denies protesters' claim she's...

FG Moves to fast-track SDGs Implementation at all levels

By Bobby OshokeAs Nigeria continues regional consultations on...

Plateau group commends Arch Bankat for his outstanding achievements at JMDB

By Israal Adamu, JosPlateau Youths for Good Governance Agenda...

*NTAC DG, Buba Yakub Celebrates Amb.Tuggar On His Birthday.

*Lauds His Selfless Commitment To Service To Nigeria And...

SDP Youth Group Rejects el-Rufai’s Defection, Alleges Attempt To Hijack Party

*Say's he started pushing for SDP leadership change less...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img