Granada 1-1 Barcelona: Xavi's males lose floor within the race for prime 4 as last-gasp Antonio Puertas strike earns hosts a late draw, after Luuk de Jong headed the guests in entrance
- Barcelona conceded an 89th-minute equaliser of their conflict with Granada
- Luuk de Jong headed the Catalans in entrance simply earlier than the hour mark
- However Antonio Puertas turned dwelling a late leveler to dent their top-four hopes
- Xavi's facet missed out on the prospect to maneuver up into third place in La Liga
Dani Alves marked his first league look for Barcelona since Could 2016 with an help however Xavi's 10-men workforce conceded within the final minute to drop two factors away at Granada.
It was Alves' first league sport of his second spell at Barcelona and he was again on the identical floor he performed his final sport for them profitable his sixth Spanish league title 5 years in the past.
He rolled again the clock with an impressed show and a cross that was headed in by the spectacular Luuk de Jong on 55 minutes. However Antonio Puertas scored from distance in minute 89 to safe some extent for the house facet.
Alves, aged 38 years and 247 days, had change into the oldest participant to play for Barcelona in La Liga and he was examined early on.
Carlos Neva went between him and Sergio Busquets within the first minute and received a free-kick which Luis Milla despatched large. Alves was holding his hand up minutes later for an additional error that once more went unpunished.
Barcelona have been unperturbed by the shaky begin defensively and thought that they had taken lead on 9 minutes when Ferran Jutgla crossed from the fitting and De Jong's intelligent motion was rewarded when he checked again onside and headed in. The purpose was dominated out for an earlier offside towards Gabi.
It was merciless on the on-form Dutchman but it surely lifted Barça and Alves slid in efficiently on Jorge Molina - the one participant on the pitch older than Alves.
De Jong went shut once more on 19 minute when Jutgla crossed and the Dutchman went shut with a backflick excessive of the crossbar. Ousmane Dembele then slipped a superb cross by means of to De Jong who was blocked by Victor Diaz.
Alves had gone ahead for the assault and as Granada tried to interrupt down the left. Gavi handled the hazard showing to drag again Milla however obtained away with it. It was a very good job the shirt pull was not seen as a result of he had already been booked.
Ter Stegen then saved from Darwin Machis who had obtained the higher of Alves once more. He went between Alves and Dembele abut Eric got here throughout and blocked properly.
Alves was shiny going ahead although and when he teed-up De Jong the Dutch worldwide jumped over the grounded Victor Diaz and Barcelona had their all essential opening purpose.
Granada now had little different however to search for the purpose to get them again in it however Alves was now flying at each ends and his shot-blocking problem on Molina helped preserve them out. Gerard Pique was placing in a giant efficiency alongside Alves and he set Barça off on a counter that substitute Abde virtually completed.
Barça have been struggling although. That they had already misplaced Eric Garcia to a hamstring harm and Gabi lastly picked up that second yellow for a foul on Granada sub Alex Collado.
Pique then went by means of Carlos Bacca and though he obtained the ball it seemed like he may also decide up a second yellow. He escaped with only a foul conceded and Barcelona stayed with only a one-man drawback.
With the ten they seemed like holding out. Their mixture of Barça infants and the previous guard - Alves, Pique, Ter Stegen, Busquets and Jordi Alba all performed the 2015 Champions League last - had given every thing.
However after they did not clear the final Granada nook of the sport the ball dropped to Puertas and he slammed his shot previous Ter Stegen to degree.