Barcelona struggles to draw against Granada as an arduous season looms
The visiting aspect took the lead by way of Domingos Duarte after simply two minutes, but it surely took Barça till the ninetieth minute to lastly give you an equalizer as Ronald Araujo headed dwelling from Gavi’s cross.
Barcelona actually dominated proceedings and Granada had goalkeeper Luís Maximiano to thank for holding them within the lead with a wise save from an earlier Araujo header, however Ronald Koeman’s aspect regarded considerably toothless in assault regardless of its overwhelming possession.
An assault on the La Liga title seems more and more unlikely and a humbling 3-0 defeat at dwelling to Bayern Munich within the opening Champions League group sport solely served to hammer dwelling simply how far behind Europe’s main golf equipment Barcelona is.
The Spanish press, unsurprisingly, has not held again in its evaluation of the workforce.
One headline in newspaper Diario AS learn: “Araujo saves a Barcelona that’s within the ICU.”
“The drive of the Uruguayan middle again was key to a draw that saves Koeman’s head, for now,” it continued. “It was a worthwhile level for Granada on the Camp Nou, the place whistles had been heard.”
One other headline in rival paper Diario Sport merely stated: “Koeman, extra alone than ever.”
“The strategy towards Granada and the outcome depart the coach on a tightrope,” it learn, highlighting additionally that, below Koeman, Barcelona has did not win in 5 of its final eight La Liga matches, stretching again to the tip of final season.
As he tried to defend the latest outcomes, Koeman is quoted in Sport as saying: “This isn’t the Barça of eight years in the past. Individuals will likely be sad with the outcome, however not with the angle the workforce has proven.
“In case you see at present’s checklist, if you happen to see the [player] call-up … do you suppose it’s important to play ‘tiki-taki?'” he questioned, referencing the type favored by ex-Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.
It was actually a far cry from the tiki-taka of outdated, as Barça put in an unbelievable 45 crosses into the field from open play — although, in the long run, it was the type that broke Granada’s resistance.
However Koeman arguably has some extent.
The likes of Philippe Coutinho and the completely injured Ousmane Dembele, two of Barcelona’s three costliest signings in historical past, are a continuing reminder of the frivolousness that received the membership into this place.
Maybe it is a signal of how far Barca has fallen that the gamers celebrated a last-minute equalizer towards Granada, a workforce with out a win to this point this season, as ecstatically as they did.
The draw lifts Barcelona to seventh place in La Liga, 5 factors behind league chief and bitter rival Actual Madrid however with a sport in hand.