Result: FC Barcelona 1-2 Granada
Date: 29 April 2021
Venue: Camp Nou
FC Barcelona missed a big chance to move top of LaLiga with their game in hand after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Granada on Thursday evening.
Youngster IIaxi Moriba earned a start alongside the returning Sergi Roberto and Samuel Umtiti, with Sergino Dest, Pedri and Clement Lenglet all dropping to the Barcelona bench.
The hosts had a bright start as Antoine Griezmann came close to opening the scoring in the 19th minute with a powerful low drive from outside the box that was saved by goalkeeper Aaron Escandell in the bottom corner.
Lionel Messi eventually sent Barca ahead four minutes later after with a low strike across Escandell at the near post after a through ball by Griezmann.
Messi had a chance to double the lead for Blaugrana ten minutes before the break after beating the offside trap to latch onto a ball over the top but Escandell came out quickly off his area to close down the angle, forcing the Argentine to shoot wide.
The hosts were spurning early chances after from the break and they paid the price for it, as Darwin Machis levelled matters for Granada in the 63rd minute with a finish at the near post.
The Catalan giants had to finish the game without their manager, as Koeman could not hold his frustrations on the touchline and was sent off three minutes.
The turnaround was complete for Granada with 11 minutes left as Jorge Molina guided a header past Marc-Andre ter Stegen from Adrian Marin's cross.
Barca responded with a change in the last nine minutes, as Trincao replaced Sergio Busquets but they were unable to claw themselves level as Granada held on for the win, leaving Koeman's side in third spot.
