Barcelona fails and misses out on the opportunity to take the lead in Spain.
Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman said, “It’s a tough blow.” “This was a fantastic chance for us.”
The match was rescheduled for two weeks ago due to Barcelona’s participation in the Copa del Rey final, which the club won over Athletic Bilbao.
With five rounds remaining, a victory at home would have earned Barcelona a one-point advantage over Atlético Madrid. Atlético, which is chasing its first league title since 2014, has led the league for the majority of the season but has recently struggled. On Sunday, it was defeated 2-1 by Athletic.
“We are disappointed,” said Barcelona defender Jordi Alba. “They scored two goals in two chances. We should have scored another goal to win the game. We are no longer reliant on ourselves.
We must win the remaining five matches and then see what happens. After all, we’ve been through this season, it was a golden chance to take the lead, but we blew it. “
Barcelona, chasing its fifth league title since 2014, remained in the third position, two points behind defending champion Real Madrid, which is coming off a home draw against Real Betis last weekend.
On May 8, Barcelona will host Atlético Madrid in a critical match at the Camp Nou. On Sunday, the Catalan club travels to Valencia, while Atlético Madrid travels to Elche and Real Madrid hosts Osasuna.
Sevilla is also still in the hunt, trailing by three points. It’s been nearly 15 years since four teams competed for the Spanish league title in the final stretch.
In the 23rd minute, Messi scored his fifth goal in four games with a low cross shot from inside the area off a pass from Antoine Griezmann.
It was Messi’s 26th league goal, extending his lead atop the scoring list. He has five more than Karim Benzema of Real Madrid and six more than Gerard Moreno of Villarreal.
Shortly after the first goal, the Argentine playmaker had a great chance to extend the lead, but he couldn’t reach the net from close range in a one-on-one situation with Granada goalkeeper Aarón Escandell inside the field.
Granada, which is currently in eighth place, scored with its only two shots on goal at Camp Nou. It equalised in the 63rd minute on a breakaway by Venezuelan forward Darwin Machs, then won in the 79th minute with a header by Jorge Molina.
Due to injuries, the club from southern Spain was without some of its usual starters.
Koeman was sent off for complaining to the officiating crew shortly after Granada’s first goal.
Barcelona was looking for its third straight league victory since losing the “clásico” to Real Madrid earlier this month.
After a difficult start to the season, the Catalan club has made a late charge for the title, which could be the last with Messi if he does not change his mind about leaving when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The team is in its first season under Koeman’s leadership and under the direction of the new president, Joan Laporta.
Barcelona has been one of the European clubs that has suffered the most financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
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