Lionel Messi’s goal against Granada gave Barca new coach Quique Setien victory on his first match as manager in charge, we would also state clearly that it was not a convincing display by the La Liga champions.
Although Barca had over 80% of the ball possession, the build-up was slow and ponderous at the Camp Nou. Setien’s style for Barca’s attack was to try to go through the middle of the backline, but that didn’t play out fine as they were often times suffocated by a well-drilled defence.
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The closed defence later had a leak when German Sanchez was flashed a second yellow card in the 69th minute for a foul on Messi leaving Granada with only 10-man, and just seven minutes later Barcelona launched a lead.
Barca continued with the tactic of going through the middle as the Argentine linked up with Antoine Griezmann; he found Arturo Vidal, whose drag-back teed up Messi to stroke home.
Beating Granada has restored Barca on top of La Liga ahead of Real Madrid on goal difference. Setien who replaced Ernesto Valverde just few days back celebrated enthusiastically after the goal and on the final whistle.
The 61-year-old, who signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Catalan club, stayed out of a job ever since he left Real Betis in the summer. He boosted his reputation at the Seville side by taking them to sixth place and qualifying them for the Europa League.
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Barca could also boast of a few other good moves as teenager Ansu Fati, who started in a front three with Messi and Griezmann, had two early opportunities, one of which Rui Silva saved. And in the second half Messi’s low strike struck the side-netting.
Granada did more of defending in the match than striking, although after the break they went closer to scoring when Yan Eteki’s firm low strike came off the post.
