Five-time European champions Barcelona conceded a late goal to Antonio Puertasas they were denied an important La Ligawin in their battle to finish the season in the Champions League places. Only a top-four spot will guarantee Champions League football next season.
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After a goalless first half, Dutch striker Luuk De Jong was rewarded for his industry since the start of the game when he scored the opener in the colours of Barcelona on 57 minutes off the cross from Brazilian defender Dani Alves who was making his second La Liga debut for Barcelona. The veteran right-back signed as a free agent for the Catalan giants towards the end of lastyear but was not allowed to play until this month due to the rules in Spanish football. He has returned to Barcelona on an 18-month contract until next summer.
De Jong had been the one likely to break the deadlock for the Catalans and he did just that with the hour mark approaching.Barcelona were not really threatened until young midfielder Gavi was sent off for two yellow cards with eleven (11) minutes left to play. The Spanish international was given his marching orders after bringing down Granada substitute Alex Collado who’s incidentally a Barcelona player. 22-year-old Collado is on loan at Granada from Barcelona.
Gavi had earlier been given a yellow card in the first half for a foul on Venezuelan forward Darwin Machis before the foul on Collado earned him an unwanted exit and eventually cost his team two points in the race for a place in the top four. Collado had come on as a substitute for Machis midway into the second half and his biggest contribution to the game was getting Gavi sent off to give his team the chance of getting a result.
Puertas scored an equaliser for Granada off a corner kick with a minute left to ensure that their unbeaten run continues. Granada are now unbeaten in seven La Liga games since the 4-1 loss at home to Real Madrid in November.
With the draw, Barcelona are down from fifth to sixth spot. A win would have taken them joint third. They are two points off Real Betis in third place and one point off Atletico Madrid in fourth place and Real Sociedad in fifth place.