Granada promotion team beat defending champions Barcelona in the fifth week of the Spanish League match which took place at the Nuevo Los Carmenes Stadium on Sunday (9/22).
Granada only takes two minutes to beat the defending champions. Ramon Azeez heading in from close range receives Antonio Puertas’s pass. The goal was not immediately endorsed by the referee because it was suspected there was a violation of Clement Lenglet in the goal process.
After the goal was declared legal, Barcelona then tried hard to equalize. Granada also plays with a defensive line deep enough to stop the visitors’ attack.
Nevertheless, Granada still has a chance to score. In the 14th minute Puertas fired a left foot shot that was still pushed over by Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
Barcelona is quite frustrated to dismantle the host defense. Luis Suarez even had to get a yellow card because he did not accept being considered guilty in a race for the ball.
Granada then appear comfortable enough to control the ball and make Barcelona survive.
Entering the second half, Ernesto Valverde played Lionel Messi and Ansu Fati. Both replaced Carles Perez and Junior Firpo.
It is precisely Barcelona who almost conceded in the 52nd minute after Ter Stegen made a blunder that was almost exploited by Roberto Soldado.
Ten minutes later the crisis in the Barcelona penalty box was investigated by VAR and resulted in a favorable decision for Granada. The referee pointed to the white pointtttt.
Alvaro Vadillo, who just entered the second round, did a good job. The score became 2-0 for Barcelona.
The Blaugrana tried to respond through the attack that Fati built, but goalkeeper Rui Silva was able to catch the ball aimed at Pique.
Barcelona’s pressure has intensified over time. Arturo Vidal and Messi fired shots that can still be anticipated. Granada managed to secure a 2-0 victory over Barcelona.
Granada now leads the Spanish League standings. Of the five matches, Granada collected 10 points with Sevilla, and Atletico Madrid. While Barcelona is now ranked seventh with seven points, the results of two wins, one draw and two defeats.
Gerard Pique and co. also recorded unable to win four away games this season, the same thing happened in 1998 when Barcelona coached Louis van Gaal.
Granada’s starting line-up:
Rui Silva; Victor Diaz, Domingos Duarte, German Sanchez, Carlos Neva; Angel Montoro, Ramon Azeez, Yangel Herrera; Antonio Puertas, Darwin Machis, Roberto Soldado
Barcelona’s starting line-up:
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen; Nelson Semedo, Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet, Junior Firpo; Frenkie De Jong, Sergi Roberto, Ivan Rakitic; Carles Perez, Luis Suarez, Antoine Griezmann
