well nights like these are just what you hope for as a spectator a warm welcome
i'm derek ray in the commentary position and i'm joined for expert analysis
by my partner stuart robson and the focus is on one of the finest leagues in world football
la liga it's granada facing barcelona thanks derek well both managers will be reminding
their players of starting the game quickly pinning the opposition back laying the ball
forward and regaining possession as quickly as possible hopefully we get a really good game here
and it can still be a very good system but it does rely very much on your front two
getting the better of their markers and the wide midfield players being good in 1v1 situations
let's hope they play it well today
well this is what we think for barcelona mark andreiter stegen stands between the posts
memphis plays with usman dembele in the wide positions
and on this tactical set up they have just the one player in attack
and now they get the ball rolling
and space for them here on the flank
moving forward effectively now what can they do from here a chance to whip it in
plenty to think about with bodies around him
and possession lost intercepted
space and time for the cross
matisse and providing wit will that lead to the goal that puts
them ahead and the keeper making sure that was pushed well away from danger
efficient play to hold on to the ball and wait for teammates to get there
plenty of players waiting in the middle
is this the moment and a goal one nil and what a fast start they've made to this game
well as you can see he hits this with so much power but just look at the follow through
so athletic that's a dynamic strike
now the ball is moving once more how important will that opening goal prove to be
young
luis mia well he's going to be disappointed with that pass
now they've lost it
bikini and possession going on good movement jorge molina every pass hitting its target
but just like that possession changes hands
depay and a goal here the keeper unable to prevent it barcelona are level
well here's the replay and just look how quickly they break forward once they win the ball back and
it makes the striker's job so easy all he has to do is make the right connection it's a lovely goal
so the ball is running again at one old
and scope for them to produce something exciting but they dealt with the threat post
barcelona have been awarded the throw-in
jordi alba and defy on the ball
chance to cross could be dangerous
showing patience as well as persistence in the builder and the keeper tied into thwarting
so the corner played into the box and he clears the danger
dembele had a wonderful diving save to deny the opportunity
and over comes the corner
well nothing untoward happened
giving it a try and a goal he's doubled his total for the day in superb scoring form
well let's take another look and it's a very good goal and they
deserve it you have to say they've been excellent
so the game has restarted and it's barcelona in front
well on the cusp of the interval and basa in front stuart your thoughts yeah it's certainly
been an open game but on the balance of play i think they do deserve their lead
they just have that little bit more creativity particularly in the wide areas
space and time for the cross
that's high level goalkeeping well that's a fantastic save
he's such a good keeper well these fans have had to be patient could this be the equalizer
over it comes insufficient guy from that corner keeper's
ball well as you see barcelona haven't had too much of the ball but their speed of attack when
they win the ball back has been breathtaking it's been a really good performance from them so far
can he play us in
and there is the goal to make it a hat-trick excellence and finishing there for all to see
well here's the replay and it all starts with the delivery into the box
just begging someone to get on the end of it and it ends up with a fairly simple finish
certainly not much the goalkeeper can do about that
well we're picking him out for a reason he's having a tremendous game and attack stewart
well he's been at his best today he just seems to get his shots away so easily
and he's taking his goals really well brilliant stuff from him
and back in business here barcelona dominating the proceedings in the first half of this match
let's see how the second half plays out
victor diaz bikini with it and they continue to advance and a lot of options here
chance for dembele oh brilliant goalkeeping
long way out this oh did so well to
they are committed to making the substitution here
fired over by usman dembele nothing comes on the attack when all is said and done
it's opening up for them
keaney can they make one of these passers counts well it came to nothing in the end
the pie
jordy alba and de young on the ball making progress superb block
corner kick played in making sure nothing came of it
dembele
really sitting deep now that could be problematic well he had a lot of ground to cover splendid same
they will now make use of the substitutes bench
can someone get on the end of this i'm sure he would love to have that opportunity back
promising attack this but they dealt with the threat post
the free kick decision goes the way of barcelona
luis miami
the pass nearly worked out but not quite
dembele and blocked for now
he's tripping in the corner
and problem solved for now
careless in possession
luis mia machis carlos
15 minutes left for play
into the advanced position maintain possession advantage and just narrowly wide
well it's a good effort from that range but i think the keeper had it covered
and it is substitution time at this juncture not just from one side but from both
victor diaz
luis mia
machis
and the flag does go up must have been tight
already you've got to say barcelona in cruise control here stuart your reflections on their
performance yeah clearly the better side obviously being fantastic up front but it's their work ethic
for me they're just not happy unless they have the ball and they're fighting to win it back
whenever they do lose it now far from a smooth challenge now will the referee produce a card
and he does produce the yellow card yeah and it
certainly deserved a yellow it's a poor challenge you have to say
oh
guys
and he takes it on oh really hit with venom and off the woodwork well that's a great
shot he just hit it with such power i'm not sure the keeper would have got that you know
so making the substitution now
and so into the final five minutes
on and on he goes now that's a good deflection that'll be a corner
who's going to get on the end of it oh terrific
save from the keeper well that's just a wonderful save how did he stop that
and he's fired over the corner it didn't happen for them
decent position
and here's dembele
now jordi alba
and the final whistle has sounded the end of the game here a win for barcelona
their fans are going to be happy about that yes derek fairly comfortable in the end wasn't it
thought they controlled the middle of the park for the most part and going forward
there was some really nice incisive plays as well good result for them
you