FC Barcelona’s Manager, Ronald Koeman was sent off as the Catalans’ Laliga title hope was shattered by Granada FC at the Camp Nou.
Barcelona headed into their outstanding game against the NazarÃes on Thursday with a wide hope of projecting to the top spot on the log if they were able to secure the needed victory, but it was another story as Granada turned the game on its head from a goal down to handed the Spanish giant their second defeat in 23 games.
The Barca’s talisman, Lionel Messi, who opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, missed a glorious chance that could have putted the Catalans in full control of the game if he was able to make it 2-0. Darwin MachÃs in the 63rd minutes leveled the game for the visitor and Jorge Molina was left in acres of space to score the winning goal for Granada in the 79th minutes.
The Dutchman’s day gone from bad to worse as he was sent off by referee Pablo González Fuertes due to his reactions to the fourth official after MachÃs scored the equaliser in the 63rd minutes. He will now be unable to sit on the bench for this weekend’s tie against his former club, Valencia as well as next week’s title showdown with Atlético Madrid.
Koeman in the post match interview:
The defat is mainly due to lack of concentration in defense in the two goals of Granada. You have to intercept the ball on the first goal and leave less space.”
We are disappointed. Starting tomorrow, we’ll look ahead of us and try to win the last five games. This is the same as for the others.”
The red card? I don’t get it. I didn’t say anything, I didn’t insult him. I spoke to the fourth referee and he did disrespect me.”
I have said something to the referee, and he has answered me in a way that has disrespected me. And I have answered him. But I have not insulted him or anything like that.”
