Champions Barcelona returned to winning ways in the
Primera Division but had to grind out the three points
in a 1-0 win against nine-man Granada.
Although it was a less than emphatic success, Barca
they did get the job done against their struggling hosts
as captain Xavi's first-half free-kick was just about
enough to earn them the victory.
It was a tough night for Pep Guardiola's side, however,
and could have been even harder had Granada not lost
striker Jaime Romero in the 53rd minute and Daniel Benitez
in added time.
Guardiola handed 20-year-old winger Isaac Cuenca his
full debut following a brief cameo in last week's Champions
League win at home to Viktoria Plzen, despite having
the likes of David Villa and Andres Iniesta available,
with the duo among the substitutes.
Lionel Messi prodded and probed in the early exchanges
and sent a shot from the right side of the area whistling
past the post.
Cuenca got involved too as his teasing cross whistled
through the area and a shot moments later was not far
off target while Ikechukwu Uche volleyed over at the
other end.
Captain for the night Xavi tested Granada keeper Roberto
for the first time with a driven shot from outside the
box before Pedro wasted his side's best chance in the
21st minute, rising well but heading Daniel Alves' cross
just wide.
Centre-back Eric Abidal smashed a left-footed effort
at Roberto's near post but the keeper made the stop.
The deadlock was broken from a set-piece and it was
Xavi who made the difference from a disputed free-kick,
stroking home from 20 yards in the 33rd minute to give
his side a deserved lead.
Granada's cause was severely undermined by Jaime's
dismissal for an ill-advised challenge on Maxwell, earning
him a second yellow card for a high boot early in the
second half. Moments earlier Pedro had suffered a nasty-looking
knee injury which forced him off early.
Messi looked to have made it 2-0 when he timed his
run perfectly and beat Roberto, only for Diego Mainz
to hook the ball to safety on the line.
Cuenca blotted his copybook with a booking shortly
after the hour mark after missing a half chance while
Messi and Cesc Fabregas also wasted efforts.
As the clock ran down there was a spate of further
cautions, with Benitez's second yellow for petulantly
kicking the ball away a fitting end to a scrappy encounter.
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