Granada stuns Barcelona in their "backyard" and deprives them of the lead
Barcelona missed the opportunity to top the Spanish football league standings for the first time this season, and overpowered an easy victory that was within its reach, after its surprise loss today 1/2 to its guest Granada in the 33rd stage of the competition.
Barcelona, who received their sixth loss in the championship during the current season and the second in their last four matches in the competition, stuck at 71 points in third place, two points behind Atlético Madrid (leaders) and a difference in direct confrontations behind their traditional rivals Real Madrid, who is in second place, equal with him. In the same balance.
On the other hand, the balance of Granada, who scored its third victory in the last four meetings in the championship, increased to 45 points in eighth place.
Argentine star Lionel Messi scored for Barcelona in the 23rd minute, before the Catalan players scrambled to squander all the opportunities they had given their absolute control of the match.
Barcelona paid the price for its complacency in the meeting, after conceding two goals from the Andalusian team, signed by Venezuelan Darwin Macchis and Jorge Molina, in the 63rd and 79th minutes, respectively. Barcelona's hopes of regaining the title, which it missed its coffers last season, were hit hard.
It is noteworthy that Barcelona fought 25 minutes without their Dutch coach Ronald Koeman, after receiving a red card in the 65th minute.
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