Barca Survive Scare To E book Copa Semi-Final Spot
04 February, 2021
Copa Del Rey
Report: Granada 3-5 FC Barcelona
Date: 03 February 2021
Location: Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes
FC Barcelona sealed an area in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey after defeating Granada 5-3 in extra-period on Wednesday evening.
Barca manager Ronald Koeman made three improvements from the narrow make an impression on Athletic Bilbao, as Sergi Roberto and Trincao were recalled alongside Sergio Busquets, who returned from suspension.
Blaugrana must have been ahead found in the eighth minute after goalkeeper Aaron Escandell spilled Lionel Messi's shot on the path of Trincao but he redeemed himself to also deny the latter on a good rebound from close-range.
Koeman's charges were missing possibilities and they paid the selling price for it in the 33rd minute as Alberto Soro won possession superior up the discipline with Barca trying to take up from the trunk and played a square move to Kenedy, who actually made nos mistake from close collection.
The Catalan giants were pushing too high in the closing phase of the first stanza, in need of the equaliser and they were vulnerable to counter-attacks, as Granada kept them away to head to the break with a 1-0 lead.
Barca had a poor begin in the second stanza because they were caught on a good counter-attack two minutes from the break, with Angel Montoro launching an extended ball from his own package that Roberto Soldado latched onto found in the visitors' box and fired a hit past goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Barca's intensity dropped in the latter levels, making it possible for Granada carry out defend, who were brilliantly absorbing the pressure rather than giving the tourists spaces in dangerous areas.
The Catalan giants eventually got an objective back in the ultimate two minutes after Griezmann's shot hit the near post and deflected off Escandel coming to the trunk of the net.
Jordi Alba forced the overall game into extra-period with the equaliser for Blaugrana in stoppage time after a good close-range finish following a headed go by Griezmann within the box.
Barcelona had the momentum found in the first amount of extra-time seeing that Griezmann managed to get 3-2 found in the tenth minute of extra-time with a powerful header inside box after a good cross by Alba.
Even so, Granada quickly levelled concerns two minutes later thanks to a spot-kick converted simply by Federico Vico immediately after Sergino Dest brought down Carlos Neva inside the box.
Granada's happiness was short-lived though, Koeman's troops went ahead again 12 minutes before amount of time in extra-period after Escandell spilled Lionel Messi's shot, which saw Frenkie de Jong react quickest to slot it home.
Alba put the game to bed for Barca within the last seven a few minutes of extra-time, making it 5-3 with a volleyed strike into the top part to send his area to the semi-finals.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za