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Granada CF vs FC Barcelona : Match Preview

By Nikhil Kulkarni

PARIS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 14: Players of Barcelona FC pose during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona at Parc des Princes on February 14, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 14: Players of Barcelona FC pose during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona at Parc des Princes on February 14, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images) /
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With the start of April, every league enters into its final stages. Barcelona begins with crucial matches to decide the league as acknowledged by Luis Enrique.

FC Barcelona will travel to Granada for their away trip at Los Carmenes on Sunday. Following the international break, this is the start of a very busy and crucial schedule from the point of view of Barca. April will be a wonderful month for football as games like quarters of UCL and El-Classico are just around the corner. The match between Granada and FCB is very crucial for both teams at this point of time as both will try to find their way up in the standings. As things stand, Catalans are fighting for the league and so is Granada for survival.

Talking about the away side, a team with the likes of Neymar, Suarez, and Iniesta is always dangerous even though Messi is not in the squad. Barcelona is coming on the back of a win over Valencia at Camp Nou. They also had a historic comeback against PSG a few days before that. The historic win against PSG has lifted the mood of the squad and as said by Lucho there is a positive vibe in the team.

The recent formation change from 4-3-3 to 3-4-3 has yielded good result even though it is a highly vulnerable change in defense. Catalans will be without Vidal and Arda who sustained an injury to his right leg while on international duty. As the things stand, Barca is battling at the top of League with Real and this will be a crucial step in their pursuit of another La Liga crown.

The inclusion of Mathieu might help to solve the problem at back in the absence of Pique who is rested. Enrique will have to check his options and formations as Messi will not be part of the game due to suspension. Barcelona has been piling goals one after another in last few games. They will go all the way in this very game also. Barca has been stronger in defense recently. However, formation changes have been an adjustment. The defense has struggled a bit to deal with players who have speed in their tanks.

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Lucho needs to use his resources carefully as the schedule is tough. Barca is still alive in all 3 European competitions. Busquets and Rakitic will again have to anchor the midfield. In addition, Iniesta and Busquets are looking good in recent games.

Granada are 2nd from bottom and the sword of relegation is surely in front of them. They’re struggling down in 19th place in La Liga with 7 points between them and safety zone. With manager Lucas Alcaraz aware of the opponents it will be really tough game for the home side.

The team has struggled to live up to its expectations and will be eager to bounce back. Adrian Ramos is available again after recovering from a muscle problem. However, the international games have cost them with another injury. An injury on international duty will keep winger Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez out of this important fixture.

As seen over the years, big teams struggle after the international breaks and Granada can cause upset if they take their chances against this strong Barcelona line up. They have one of the La Masia lads in the form of Sergi Samper who knows Barca very well. He is considered as future at FCB and has all the chance to have an impression on this game. Granada has struggled this season as they have scored the second-fewest goals in the league (25) and have given up the second-most goals (57). They have been on losing side in last 3 consecutive games and need to pull themselves up for this game.

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To sum things up, it will be a battle between a team who is eager to go at the top and a team who wants to escape relegation. It will be a fierce contest as both teams have a clear idea about the standings in the league. Alcaraz has to hope for wonders if they need to stand a chance against this fresh Barcelona team. It will be a game which might decide the future of both teams for the season and both will try for the positive outcome. Even though Granada might give tough fight at home, I believe Barca will collect all 3 points in their hunt for 3rd straight La Liga championship.

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