{"id":12717,"date":"2023-10-10T07:49:08","date_gmt":"2023-10-10T07:49:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/barcelona-lose-ground-in-la-liga-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-10-10T07:49:08","modified_gmt":"2023-10-10T07:49:08","slug":"barcelona-lose-ground-in-la-liga-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/barcelona-lose-ground-in-la-liga-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Barcelona lose ground in La Liga | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nGRANADA:
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Barcelona came back from two goals down to share a thrilling 2-2 draw with Granada but lost ground in the La Liga<\/a> title race on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Bryan Zaragoza sent the hosts two goals ahead but Lamine Yamal<\/a> and Sergi Roberto’s goals preserved the champions’ record as the only unbeaten team in La Liga.<\/p>\n

However the Catalans are now third and sit three points behind leaders Real Madrid, and one behind neighbours Girona, who both won on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Zaragoza struck twice in the first half, breaking the deadlock after only 17 seconds — the fastest goal Barcelona have conceded in the 21st century.<\/p>\n

Yamal pulled Barcelona back into the game just before half-time, becoming La Liga’s youngest ever goalscorer in the process at 16 years and 87 days.<\/p>\n

Xavi Hernandez’s<\/a> side levelled with three minutes remaining when substitute Sergi Roberto turned home, but they could not find a late winner in a high-octane finale.<\/p>\n

It was the third comeback they have made in recent weeks, beating Celta Vigo from two goals down and twice falling behind at Mallorca in another 2-2 draw.<\/p>\n

Barcelona’s night was also marred by a knee injury to Jules Kounde, with the Catalans already tending to Robert Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and Raphinha in the treatment room.<\/p>\n

Xavi deployed Ferran Torres as a false nine to replace Lewandowski, while he handed Fermin Lopez his first start for the club in midfield.<\/p>\n

The coach left Oriol Romeu on the bench, starting without a pure defensive midfielder and dividing the role up between Ilkay Gundogan and Gavi.<\/p>\n

The latter turned into trouble immediately, with Granada stealing the ball from the young midfielder in the build-up to the first goal.<\/p>\n

Lucas Boye fed Zaragoza, who fired across Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who might have done more to keep the shot from finding the bottom corner, although the ball appeared to bobble before passing the Barcelona goalkeeper.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n