Liga, matchday 20 – FC Barcelona hanging on to Granada (1-1), Gavi sent off, De Jong scorer

FC Barcelona loses two points. This Saturday evening, the Blaugrana conceded the draw on the lawn of Granada (1-1), during the 20th day of La Liga. At the new Los Carmenes stadium, however, it was Barça who opened the scoring, through Luuk de Jong (57th) before Antonio Puertas equalized (89th), in an end of the game where the men de Xavi were outnumbered after the expulsion of Gavi (79th). In the standings of the Spanish championship, the Barcelona remain in sixth place but one unit from the third step of the podium, while Granada is twelfth.

Already the only scorer of his own during the previous day, against Mallorca (0-1), Luuk de Jong almost turned, once again, into the savior of FC Barcelona. Established at the forefront of the attack, while his compatriot Memphis Depay, just back from injury, had taken his place on the bench, the Dutch striker believed to open the scoring very early in this meeting and more precisely at the eighth minute of play. But after a few minutes of procrastination, the referee, guided by the VAR, did not allow a goal, for an offside position, at the start, of the center Gavi.

Alves made his comeback

It was therefore only a postponement and de Jong ended up finding the fault, with his head, to put his family on the right track (57th, 0-1). FC Barcelona have scored the most headed goals of any team in La Liga this season with eight goals, one more in 20 appearances in 2021-22 than last season overall (seven).

A goal after a decisive pass from a certain Dani Alves. The full-back was playing his very first game since returning to Catalonia. The Brazilian (38, 247 days) becomes the oldest player to make an appearance in a La Liga match with FC Barcelona, ​​overtaking Pinto (38, 190 days against Atlético on May 17, 2014).

Gavi sent off and everything changed for Barça

And while Xavi’s men certainly thought they had the game in their hands, even though they ultimately never made it through any other attempts, a match fact came to bring them back to reality. Guilty of a tackle from behind on Alex Tollado, Gavi did not escape the second yellow card, synonymous with expulsion (79th). At 17 years and 156 days, the Barcelona became the second youngest player to be sent off to La Liga in the 21st century, after Marc Muniesa against Osasuna in May 2009 (17 years and 57 days), both with Barcelona.

It was only then that Robert Moreno’s proteges began to believe in it. Opposite, Marc-André ter Stegen, for his 200th appearance in La Liga and who had already been more than vigilant in front of Darwin Machis (26th), lay down well on the attempt of Luis Milla (83rd). But just before the announcement of additional time, the German goalkeeper finally had to give in, on a shot from Antonio Puertas, from a corner (89th, 1-1).

FC Barcelona will certainly have something to regret. Despite everything, faced with an unbeaten team in the elite since November 21, the Blaugrana continue their good streak in the league, with a fifth consecutive game without defeat.