Struggling Barcelona salvage a point against Granada in La Liga

Manager Ronald Koeman was criticised for ditching the traditional passing system

ITDC INDIA EPRESS/ITDC NEWS R Ronald Araujo’s headed goal in stoppage time against Granada spared Barcelona the blushes in their Monday night La Liga clash. The 1-1 draw comes days after coach Ronald Koeman’s men were outclassed by Bayern Munich in the Champions League as life after the departure of Lionel Messi continues to be rocky.

Koeman was heavily criticised by Barcelona fans for ditching the club’s traditional passing style against Granada. The Dutch legend went for a more direct attacking approach, even playing defenders Gerard Pique and Araujo in attack in the latter part of the second half

For Granada, defender Domingos Duarte gave the visitors the lead in just the second minute of the game, stunning the home crowd to silence. As the game wore on, Barcelona players and fans grew frustrated, forcing Koeman to push his tall centre-backs up front, in a desperate attempt to salvage a point.

It resulted in Barcelona players sending a whopping 54 crosses into the opponent’s box, with the last effort eventually finding the net. But that was not enough for the Blaugrana supporters, who booed and whistled the players off the pitch.