First Division - Day 10

Barcelona 1 – Granada 0

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Mascherano, Umtiti, Digne; Denis Suárez (André Gomes 71’), Rakitic, Rafinha; Messi, Luis Suárez (Paco Alcácer 83’), Neymar. 4-3-3.
Granada: Ochoa; Isaac Cuenca, Rubén Vezo, Lombán, Saunier, Gabriel Silva; Carcela-González, Jon Toral (Sergi Samper 77’), Uche Agbo, Andreas Pereira (Boga 60’); Kravets (Barral 72’). 5-4-1.

Goals:
1-0. 49. Rafinha. Acrobatic shot past Ochoa after Neymar shot came back off post.

Yellow cards: Gabriel Silva 11’, Jon toral 73’, Lombán 79’, Neymar 87’, Rubén Vezo 87’.

Barcelona are up to second in the table after they won 1-0 against bottom club Granada in the last game on Saturday evening. The Andalusians had let in more goals than anyone this season, but new coach Lucas Alcaraz packed his defence, and even with Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez up front the hosts had problems finding a way through. The best chances in the first half fell to Luis Suárez (who was presented with the European Golden Shoe award before kick-off), the first when he was quickly closed down after picking up a long pass from Mascherano, and the second with a shot on the turn which Ochoa pushed clear. Just four minutes after the interval though Rafinha opened the scoring with an acrobatic overhead kick after Neymar’s shot came back off the post, and only some good saves by Ochoa prevented Neymar and Luis Suárez in particular from adding to the scoreline. Granada themselves didn’t manage one shot at goal all night, but the result was in doubt until the final whistle, which gives them hope for the future. Barça though will just be happy with the three points, and they go on to their Champions League tie at Manchester City having rested key players and conserved energy for that match.