Spanish La Liga
Result: Granada 1-3 Barcelona
Date: 28 February 2015
Venue: Estadio Los Carmenes
Goals from Ivan Rakitic, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi handed Barcelona a 3-1 victory over Granada, as they returned to winning ways in the Spanish La Liga.
The Luis Enrique’s side lost 0-1 to Malaga last weekend.
Barcelona dominated the early exchanges of the match as expected, but found Granada well organised in defence and in the process they frustrated the Catalans.
Jhon Cordoba looked very lively for Granada and was the main threat to Barcelona’s defence that was missing suspended Gerrard Pique, while Javier Mascherano, was pushed into the midfield in the absence of rested Sergio Busquets.
However, Barcelona improved the tempo of their game and were rewarded with a goal as Ivan Rakitic, pouncing on a ball played in by Luis Suarez in the 25th minute, easily tapped in to put his team ahead.
The match headed to the half-time break at 1-0 in favour of Barcelona
Barcelona doubled their lead just three minutes into the second half with Suarez continuing with his fine form, after he netted a double in the midweek Champions’ League game.
The Uruguayan showed his hunger in front of goal beating a defender and scoring past the Granada goalkeeper after a good pass from Rakitic.
Marc Bartra fouled Granada’s Bangoura inside the box in the 53rd minute and the referee did not hesitate and pointed to the spot, which was converted by Fran Rico, giving his team hope of a comeback.
However, it would be Barcelona increasing the score as Suarez unselfishly rolled the ball in the path of Lionel Messi, for the Argentinean to score the third goal for his team in the 70th minute.
The game failed to produce more goals as Barcelona bagged the three points.
Here’s how the teams lined up.
Granada: Oier, Nyom, Babin, Cala, Foulquier, Iturra, Fran Rico, Javi Marquez, Robert, Lass, Cordoba
Barcelona: Bravo, Alves, Bartra, Mathieu, Alba, Mascherano, Xavi, Rakitic, Messi, Neymar, Suarez
