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Tag: Granada

  • La Liga: Youngster makes history as Barca survives Granada scare

    La Liga: Youngster makes history as Barca survives Granada scare

    History was made on Sunday evening as Lamine Yamal became the youngest La Liga player to score a goal for Barcelona as they drew 2-2 at Granada.
    Granada stunned Barcelona after scoring one of the fastest goals in La Liga in just about 17 seconds from the blast of the whistle.
    Xavi’s side needed an equaliser five minutes from time, turning home Alejandro Balde’s cross from close range to complete a two-goal comeback.
    The shocking opener came when Gavi gave the ball away in midfield and Lucas Boye set free Bryan Zaragoza, whose effort Marc-Andre ter Stegen will feel he should have stopped after getting both hands to the ball.
    Bryan then doubled the lead, out-pacing Jules Kounde before turning back and stroking the ball home.
    The Azulgrana’s 16-year-old winger Yamal shot home from close range, turning home Joao Felix’s errant effort at goal to set a new record for the youngest goalscorer in the Spanish top-flight, before Sergi Roberto completed the comeback.
    In injury time, Joao Felix had the ball in the net from Joao Cancelo’s cross, but Ferran Torres was ruled offside and interfering with the play.
    The Catalans have not had it easy in their past three games, being held to a 2-2 draw against Mallorca and grinding out two 1-0 wins against Sevilla in La Liga and then Porto in the Champions League, rather fortuitously.
    The Catalans have now failed to win against them in their last four encounters, although many will argue that their stoppage-time winner should have counted.
    They are presently occupying the third position on the log behind Real Madrid and Girona.
  • Danjuma, Chukwueze shine in Villarreal’s 4-1 win over Granada

    Danjuma, Chukwueze shine in Villarreal’s 4-1 win over Granada

    Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze and Nigerian-born Arnaut Danjuma stood out in Villarreal’s impressive 4-1 win away at Los Carmenes against Granada in La Liga on Saturday.

    The win meant Villarreal extended their unbeaten run to four matches in La Liga.

    Danjuma scored an impressive hat-trick, including two penalty kicks.

    Chukwueze also came off the bench to win a penalty kick and pick up an assist as Villarreal outplayed Granada at Estadio Neuvo Los Carmenes.

    Danjuma’s first goal came 10 minutes before the half-time break from the penalty kick spot before adding his second from open play four minutes later.

    Luis Milla then pulled one back, also from the penalty kick spot, only for Danjuma to score another penalty kick nine minutes from time.

    Moi Gomez made it 4-1 deep in stoppage time.

    The result leaves Villarreal in fifth as things stand, three points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid and level on points with sixth-placed FC Barcelona.

    After a poor opening to the season, Villarreal are finally hitting their stride, and the timing is good as they face Juventus at La Ceramica in the Champions League on Tuesday.

    As for Granada, the heavy home defeat leaves them perilously close to the relegation zone.

    They are currently 17th in the table, four points clear of Deportivo Alaves and 10 clear of bottom-placed Levante.

  • Koeman on hot seat as Barca struggle to late draw

    Koeman on hot seat as Barca struggle to late draw

    Ronald Araujo’s injury-time header rescued a point for Barcelona against Granada, but it does little to paper over the cracks of another poor home display from Ronald Koeman’s side.

    Centre-back Araujo – playing as a makeshift striker – found the net right at the end of a half Barca dominated.

    But having being humbled by Bayern in the Champions League last week, it will do little to lift spirits.

    Granada had led from the second minute through Domingos Duarte’s header.

    And they will be disappointed not to have picked up a first win of the season – and second victory in two seasons at the Nou Camp – after dealing so well with the home side’s aerial bombardment.

    However, It was reported earlier by pundit José Alvarez that Laporta could take “drastic action” if Barca flop against Granada.

    If Barca produce an “underwhelming” performance, Laporta is prepared to dismiss Koeman.

  • Laporta to take ‘drastic’ decision if Barca lose tonight

    Laporta to take ‘drastic’ decision if Barca lose tonight

    Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman’s job is on the line tonight against Granada.

    Koeman is under huge pressure after last week’s home defeat to Champions League opponents Bayern Munich.

    Barca president Joan Laporta has been encouraged by members of the board to sack Koeman, though he has so far refused to pull the trigger.

    However, speaking on El Chiringuito, pundit José Alvarez reports Laporta could take “drastic action” if Barca flop against Granada tonight.

    If Barca produce an “underwhelming” performance, Laporta is prepared to dismiss Koeman.

  • Spanish club Granada ready to sell Ramon Azeez

    Spanish club Granada ready to sell Ramon Azeez

    Ramon Azeez is no longer wanted at LaLiga side, Granada as the Spanish club is looking to sell him.

    Azeez was loaned out to Spanish second division side, Cartagena last January after failing to make the grade in the LaLiga with Granada.

    The 28 year old featured just twice for Granada in the first half of last season and was moved to the Spanish second division side where he made nine starts in 16 appearances and failed to score a goal.

    The former Almeria of Spain player has now returned to Granada for pre-season training after the expiration of his loan deal but was not allowed to train with the main team.
    The player who still has a year left on his two year deal at the club is now free to talk to any club as he has been declared surplus to requirement.

    Azeez has spent 10 years in Spanish football and has featured 105 times in the second division, scoring just four times without bagging any assist while in the LaLiga, he has also scored four goals and bagged three assists in 71 games.

  • Barca blow chance to go top after home loss to Granada

    Barca blow chance to go top after home loss to Granada

    FC Barcelona missed the chance to go top of La Liga with just five games left when they were stunned 2-1 by Granada at Camp Nou on Thursday night.

    Although Barca controlled most of the ball and had the majority of the chances, two defensive lapses did them in.

    They allowed Darwin Machis and Jorge Molina to overturn Leo Messi’s opener for the home side.

    But they remain third in the table, two points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.

    With a difficult visit to Valencia on Sunday, FC Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman made three changes to his starting 11.

    Samuel Umtiti, Ilaix Moriba and Sergi Roberto came in for Clement Lenglet, Pedri, and Sergino Dest.

    As expected, Barca controlled the ball, but they could not test Aaron in the Granada goal until the 20th minute.

    Three minutes later, Antoine Griezmann, who is in his best form of the season, set up Leo Messi to put Barca ahead.

    It was the French forward’s seventh assist of the season.

    Griezmann and Messi combined again shortly afterward, only for Messi to drag his shot wide and with Barca in the ascendency.

    Aaron did magnificently to deny Messi when he was able to deflect the ball just wide after a pass from Sergio Busquets.

    The second half began with Griezmann shooting just wide from the edge of the Granada penalty area.

    Shortly after, Sergi Roberto fired just over the bar after a flowing move involving Messi and Frenkie de Jong.

    The home side looked to be in complete control as they stroked the ball around.

    But they were caught flat-footed in the 63rd minute when Oscar Mingueza failed to cut out a through ball.

    It allowed Darwin Machis to race forward and beat Marc Andre Ter Stegen and level the scores.

    Koeman was sent off for his protests, but TV replays showed there was no offside in the move.

    Although his side again took control after Ousmane Dembele and Pedri came into the game, Jorge Molina again made Barca pay for more poor defending.

    This was when he nodded home Granada’s second goal in the 80th minute completely unmarked from five metres out.

  • Europa: Man Utd ‘full of confidence’ after brushing Granada – Solskjaer

    Europa: Man Utd ‘full of confidence’ after brushing Granada – Solskjaer

    Manchester United will face Roma in the Europa League semi-final after they secured a 2-0 win over Granada.

    Leading 2-0 from the first leg in Spain, it took only six minutes for United to all but put the tie to bed at Old Trafford.

    Edinson Cavani continued his form from the weekend’s win over Spurs by finishing smartly after latching onto Paul Pogba’s flicked header.

    It was the 34-year-old’s ninth goal of the season, and talks over his future will undoubtedly intensify over the coming weeks as his contract winds to a close.

    Pogba was replaced at half-time by Donny van de Beek after he received a needless yellow card for a late tackle on Yangel Herrera.

    Granada gave it their all but United got the next goal of the game in stoppage time, an own goal from Jesus Vallejo after he turned in Alex Telles’ cross.

    Speaking after the game, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told BT Sport: “Granada do give you a game. It’s a physical game, they throw people forward. You have to defend in these kind of games.

    “2-0, clean sheet, some good individual performances. We’re full of confidence going into Sunday [against Burnley].”

  • Granada wrapping up signing of Luis Suarez after Atletico defeat

    Granada wrapping up signing of Luis Suarez after Atletico defeat

    Granada are wrapping up the signing of Watford striker Luis Suarez.

    AS says Suarez’s move is set to be confirmed sometime today.

    Watford rejected an offer of €13m from Marseille for the Colombia international, who will move to Granada on an initial loan.

    Suarez played last season on-loan with Real Zaragoza in the Segunda Division, scoring 19 goals.

    Granada were thrashed 6-1 by Atletico Madrid on Sunday.