Barcelona's unique identity is thrown into question, as evident in the current troubles faced by the team in Granada.
In a surprising turn of events, Granada handed Barcelona their third consecutive defeat in the 2025-26 La Liga season, with the Catalan giants currently struggling to find their form. The match, played at the Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes, saw Granada assert their dominance, leading 3-0 against Barcelona, who are currently languishing in seventh place.
The encounter began on a disappointing note for Barcelona, with Granada scoring the first goal just a minute into the game. Yangel Azeez capitalised on a handball by Arthur Vidal, converting the resulting penalty to give the home team an early advantage.
Barcelona's coach, Ernesto Valverde, made several changes to his starting lineup, with Frenkie de Jong taking the lead in midfield, reminiscent of the legendary Xavi. Despite De Jong's impressive performance, Barcelona struggled to create chances, with Ansu Fati providing a left-footed cross that Rui Silva managed to clear, preventing a potential rebound for the visiting team.
Barcelona's woes were compounded by their inability to win away from home, managing only two shots on target against a newly promoted team, resulting in another defeat. The team's poor performance is the worst league start since the 94-95 season, raising concerns among fans and pundits alike.
Granada, on the other hand, put in an exceptional team performance, demonstrating a high level of intensity, second chances, and suffocating man-to-man pressure in midfield. Players such as Neva, Montoro, Yangel, Azeez, Soldado, Machís, Vadillo, and Carlos shone brightly for the home team.
Darwin Machís had a chance for Granada, but Gerard Piqué cleared the ball to a corner, while Barcelona's best opportunity fell to Yangel Herrera, who found Luis Suárez, but the Uruguayan was too slow to capitalise.
The second goal for Granada came from the spot, with Vadillo converting the penalty after Vidal was adjudged to have handled the ball during a free kick. The penalty decision was confirmed by the VAR, adding to Barcelona's misery.
The third goal for Granada was scored by Vadillo once again, converting another penalty awarded due to a handball by Vidal, following two mistakes by Junior. Barcelona failed to register a single shot on target in the second half, underscoring their struggles in front of goal.
In an effort to turn the tide, Valverde replaced Junior and Carles Pérez with Messi and Ansu Fati at halftime, but the changes failed to produce the desired effect, as Granada maintained their lead until the final whistle.
As the 2025-26 La Liga season progresses, Barcelona will be hoping to find their form and climb up the table, while Granada will be aiming to build on their impressive start to the season. The next match for Barcelona will be a crucial test, as they face Real Madrid in the El Clásico, a fixture that could potentially turn their season around.
- The average number of goals scored by Barcelona in their last three matches is alarmingly low, with only three goals against their name in the 2025-26 La Liga season.
- Despite the struggles of Barcelona, several European leagues have witnessed their share of upsets, with underdogs like Granada claiming significant victories.
- In the NFL, similar surprises have been the norm, with unexpected wins becoming a regular occurrence, much like the story of Granada in La Liga.
- basketball's NBA, too, has seen its fair share of unexpected performances, making sports betting a thrilling yet unpredictable adventure.
- Meanwhile, the sports of American football (MLB) and hockey (NHL) have also experienced their share of dramatic twists and turns, with underdogs occasionally emerging victorious.
- Football leagues across Europe, such as the UEFA Champions League and the Laliga, have been filled with similar instances, where lesser-known teams have knocked out champions, much like Granada's performance against Barcelona.
- As the excitement in these sports continues to build, fans and sports enthusiasts alike are eagerly waiting for the next round of matches, hoping to witness more unexpected triumphs, just like the one Granada accomplished against Barcelona.
