THE LEAGUE
KOSTAS BRATSOS 12.02.2024 | 00:03
Yamal disappointed at Barcelona-Granada 2024 AP PHOTO/JOAN MONFORT
Granada looked Barcelona in the eye in Montjuic and were held to a 3-3 draw, leaving them out of La Liga title contention.
Barcelona were hoping for a miracle to move closer to Real in the title race, but Granada ended any hopes. The 3-3 draw in Montjuic leaves the Catalans well off the top after 24 games in La Liga.
Xavi again fielded a mix of experienced and young players against the Andalusians who, despite being relegation favourites, played freely and did not fear their opponents.
The result was a game with several phases and many goals, starting with Lamin Yamal’s in the 14th minute. Robert Lewandowski was about to score in an empty net to make it 2-0 but the visitors cleared the line and the upset ensued. In the 43rd minute Ricardo Sanchez beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen on his return to action after three months and in the 60th minute Facundo Pellistri made it 2-1.
Lewandowski’s response was immediate, but Ignacy Mikel’s reaction was even more immediate, resulting in Granada’s 3-2 defeat causing anxiety in the stands for yet another humiliating defeat. Xavi took out two defenders (Andreas Christensen, Joao Cancelo) and put on two strikers (Fermin, Rafinha), but in the end the third goal came from Yamal, who saved the tie in the 80th minute.
The results of the 24th matchday
- Cadiz – Betis 0-2 (6′ Jose, 46′ Fornals)
- Alavés – Villarreal 1-1 (25′ Omorodion / 42′ Cuenca)
- Real Sociedad – Osasuna 0-1 (49′ Budimir)
- Real – Girona 4-0 (6′ Vinicius, 35′, 54′ Bellingham, 61′ Rodrigo)
- Las Palmas – Valencia 2-0 (89′ Suarez, 90+8′ Cardona)
- Getafe – Telta 3-2 (41′ Mayoral, 45+2′, 89′ Mata / 71′ Strand Larsen, 85′ Agente)
- Mallorca – Rayo Vallecano 2-1 (48′ Sanchez, 90+1′ Murici / 78′ Garcia)
- Sevilla – Atletico 1-0 (15′ Romero)
- Barcelona – Granada 3-3 (14′, 80′ Yamal, 63′ Lewandowski / 43′ Sanchez, 60′ Pellistri, 66′ Mikel)
- 12/02 22:00 Almeria – Athletic
The program of the 25th matchday
- 16/02 22:00 Villarreal – Getafe
- 17/02 15:00 Atletico – Las Palmas
- 17/02 17:15 Osasuna – Cadiz
- 17/02 19:30 Celta – Barcelona
- 17/02 22:00 Valencia – Seville
- 18/02 15:00 Rayo Vallecano – Real
- 18/02 17:15 Granada – Almeria
- 18/02 19:30 Mallorca – Real Sociedad
- 18/02 22:00 Betis – Alaves
- 19/02 22:00 Athletic – Girona
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