Barcelona drew 1-1 with Granada at the Camp Nou Stadium in the fifth week of the Spanish League, Tuesday (21/9) early morning Indonesian time.
Granada took the lead in the second minute. Without significant control, Domingos Duarte headed the ball in front of goal after receiving feedback from Sergio Escudero.
The goal came from Escudero’s corner, which the Barcelona players failed to block. Escudero got the ball back and into the penalty box before releasing an assist.
In the 12th minute, Darwin Machis’ bait was kicked by Jorge Molina, the ball glided thinly over the crossbar.
Barcelona had a chance in the 18th minute. Starting from a corner kick, Sergi Roberto has a chance to release the ball into the goal. The ball was out of reach of goalkeeper Luis Maximiano, but still hit the crossbar.
Barcelona’s intention to respond to being left behind must be faced with the discipline of Granada’s players in defense. On the other hand, Granada had another chance to score in the 43rd minute through a shot from outside the penalty box which was still blocked by Marc Andre ter-Stegen.
Barcelona produced chances in the dying minutes of the first half, but Maximiano was strong enough to keep the Granada goal in check with crucial saves from Ronald Araujo, Sergi Roberto, Memphis Depay and Oscar Mingueza.
Barcelona’s efforts continued in the second half. Depay, Coutinho, and support from Serginho Dest put Granada under pressure.
Despite being able to bring the ball into the Granada penalty box, Barcelona had difficulty creating meaningful opportunities. When he got a golden opportunity like in the 61st minute, Depay’s late finish did not get the ball into the net.
The Blaugrana continued to confine Granada, but did not always produce opportunities that endangered the opponent’s goal. Barcelona’s passes can still be anticipated by Granada’s players. In addition, Maximiano was able to maintain a good performance by thwarting Araujo’s efforts, while Luuk de Jong’s chance failed to produce a goal.
In the last minute of normal time Barcelona equalized. Araujo this time did not waste a chance. The ball from Gavi’s cross was directed well to the bottom left of goalkeeper Maximiano.
This is the second time Barcelona have draw in the 2021/2022 season. Previously, Memphis Depay and friends drew 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao in the second week.
Barcelona, who has only played four times, because the match against Sevilla was postponed, is temporarily seventh in the standings with eight points from two wins and two defeats.
