Barcelona travelled to Granada on Saturday looking to move within one point of La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
The visitors led 1-0 at the interval following a close-range strike from Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic.
Barca had their second minutes after the interval when Luis Suarez found the back of the net, but Granada responded from the penalty spot after 53 minutes, with Fran Rico on the scoresheet.
Granada could not find another, however, and Barca then scored a third 20 minutes from time through Lionel Messi.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes as Granada welcome Barcelona. Both sides are in need of the points, but for very, very different reasons. Granada cannot afford to be cut adrift, while Barca simply have to keep on winning.
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS
GRANADA: Oier; Nyom, Cala, Babin, Foulquier; Rico, Iturra, Marquez; Lass, Cordoba, Ibanez
BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Mathieu, Bartra, Alba; Mascherano, Rakitic, Xavi; Neymar, Messi, Suarez
So there we have it. Granada boss Abel Resino has gone for plenty of pace in his XI this afternoon, with Allan Nyom and Dimitri Foulquier starting in the full-back positions. Jhon Cordoba will lead the line, while there are also spots in the team for on-loan Valencia attacker Robert Ibanez and on-loan Rayo Vallecano forward Lass Bangoura, but Ruben Rochina is only on the bench.
Barca boss Luis Enrique, meanwhile, has made four changes from the team that beat Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday. In come Claudio Bravo, Jeremy Mathieu, Marc Bartra and Xavi, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets dropping out. Javier Mascherano will move into a midfield role, leaving Mathieu and Bartra at centre-back.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Barcelona have won four of the last five matches, but Granada's success during that run occurred in the corresponding match last season. At the Camp Nou, Granada have conceded 12 times in their last three, but it has been a different story at home, with Barca certainly having some problems. Will that continue this afternoon?
Incredibly, Granada took eight points from their first four La Liga matches, but since then, they have won just one from 20 in the league. That victory occurred at the end of April, when they beat Elche at home. It has been a really difficult season overall, with 19 points from 24 games leaving them 19th – four points from safety with 14 matches remaining. Last time out, they finished with nine men and conceded twice late on to lose 2-1 at Levante. It was a desperate way to lose.
That said, Granada have not lost too many home games this season – suffering defeat in just three of their 11 matches in this particular stadium. They have only won twice, however, scoring just six goals in the process, which is comfortably the worst record in the league. In truth, it is a major ask against Barca, but they did beat them last season. Little over 10 minutes until kickoff here...
Barca, meanwhile, should enter the match full of confidence after putting on a fine display away to Manchester City in the last-16 stage of the Champions League last week. They won the first leg 2-1, but it should have been more. Their last league match, however, was a 1-0 home defeat to Malaga, which saw them pass up the chance to move above the leaders Real Madrid, who remain top by four points.
Barca's away form this season has been strong – winning eight of their 12 matches and conceding just seven times. In fact, the Catalan outfit have won three successive away league games for the first time since September 2013 – scoring 15 goals during those three games. They have also won 12 of their last 13 games in all competitions. Right, the atmosphere is starting to build with kickoff approaching.
PREDICTION! Have a look at what I had to say about this match here...
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Can Granada cause one of the shocks of the season here? It is the home side that get the first 45 minutes underway here.
Not a full house inside the stadium, but there is still a very good atmosphere. The home supporters are still very much onside, which is excellent for Granada. It has been a bright start from the hosts, with Lass driving down the left, but the forward loses control before Javi Marquez fells Alves.
Marquez and Alves are both still down following that collision. It looks worse for the former though.
BOOKING! Marquez (Granada) is eventually booked for that clash with Alves. A little harsh.
Barcelona have just started to take control of the possession in the last couple of minutes, with Mascherano dropping deep to collect. Granada are dangerous on the counter, however, which is making for a bright opening five minutes here. Still no real chances for either side thus far.
Ibanez attempts to force the issue for the home side after finding space in a wide area, but his cross is straight into the arms of Bravo. Barcelona are down the other end moments later, but Neymar is denied down the left as Granada launch another quick counter. Very promising start from the hosts here.
Manuel Iturra has not been afraid to break from midfield in the opening nine minutes, but the Chilean runs into Mascherano as Barcelona manage to regain control of the ball. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early minutes, but the hosts are shading the general play that is for certain.
Barcelona might have expected a more comfortable start here, but Granada are really forcing the issue in the final third. Neymar attempts to slide a pass into Suarez, but Oier is on hand to collect.
Half-chance for Barca as Rakitic strikes one from outside the box following a cleared corner, but the midfielder's effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Fairly muted opening here.
Cordoba, who is Granada's lone striker this afternoon, is causing some problems in the final third, but the referee has blown for a foul the last couple of times that the forward has challenged Mathieu. Barca have just started to regain control of the possession, but they are still struggling for creation.
BOOKING! Suarez (Barcelona) is booked for a poor challenge on Cala. It was an elbow from the striker, but probably not enough to produce a red card. Handbags follow!
The referee has been called into action on a number of occasions in the last couple of minutes as the foul count continues to rise. It has been a frustrating opening 18 minutes for the visitors thus far.
Cordoba continues to stretch Barcelona as the forward drives into the box, but he was just flagged offside after collecting a low pass from Iturra. Suarez threatens down the other end moments later, but again the flag is raised. Just a few signs that both sides are warming to their task in the final third.
Perfect weather and perfect pitch here, but the football has not matched those standards yet. Neymar breaks beyond the Granada defence this time, but again the offside flag is raised. Still goalless here.
CHANCE! Just about the closest either side have come as Suarez sets up Xavi on the edge of the box, but his powerful strike is pushed over the crossbar by Oier. Strong goalkeeping there.
GOAL! Granada 0-1 Barcelona (Rakitic)
Barca take the lead with 25 minutes on the clock as Rakitic turns home from close range after Suarez's goal-bound shot had been half-cleared by Cala. The Croatian simply could not miss from there.
Terrible defending from Cala it must be said. The centre-back set up Rakitic for the goal!
Half-chance for the home side as a deep free kick causes problems inside the Barca box, but Marquez fires high and wide of the crossbar. Barcelona are down the other end moments later, but Babin steps across to challenge Suarez. The game is starting to open up with 29 minutes on the clock here.
Granada are still offering plenty in the final third, but it is not too difficult to see why they have only scored six home league goals this season. Barca are fairly comfortable dealing with the pressure.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few minutes, but both sides are committing numbers in the final third. There has been too many offside calls this afternoon, with Suarez and Cordoba both caught once again. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining here.
Granada can be pretty pleased with their first-half performance here, but they are still behind as we approach the latter stages of the first period. They have to start testing Bravo in the Barcelona goal.
CHANCE! Almost a second goal for Barcelona as Rakitic sets up Messi inside the box, but the Argentine can only fire his effort high of the crossbar. Stunning first touch from Messi there.
Marquez hits another one high and wide for Granada from the edge of the box.
PENALTY SHOUT! Big penalty shout for the home side as Lass goes down in the box under pressure from Bartra, but the referee is not interested. Oh it may well have been one - seen them given!
Good pressure from Granada in the last couple of minutes, but they are still struggling to create clear chances, which has been the story of their season. Rakitic's goal still separates the two sides here.
SAVE! Granada's best chance of the first period falls to Marquez, with the midfielder unleashing a low attempt from the edge of the box, but Bravo is across to make a super save.
Granada might be losing, but they have more than matched Barcelona for long spells.
Messi hits the post after meeting a low cross from Alves, but the Argentine was in an offside position. Not too much more football to be played in this first period, with Barca still leading by the one goal.
Messi again comes close late in the half after meeting a chipped ball from Rakitic, but Oier is on hand to smother at the vital moment. We are into the first of two additional minutes here.
HALF-TIME: Granada 0-1 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barca leading 1-0 courtesy of a close-range finish from Rakitic. Barca have had a couple more half-chances, but Granada have been the better side in general play. As it stands, however, they will not receive anything for their efforts.
STATS! Barcelona have had more of the ball with 63% possession, while they have had six attempts - three of which have been on target. Granada, meanwhile, have hit the target with two of their seven attempts. There have also been a couple of yellow cards thus far - one for each team.
BENCH WATCH! Granada have played pretty well thus far, but head coach Resino might look to his bench sooner rather than later here. The Spaniard has options in the shape of Candeias, Perez, Rochina and Success. Barca, meanwhile, have the likes of Iniesta, Pedro and Rafinha in reserve.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Granada turn this one around? We shall soon see! It is the away side that get the second 45 minutes underway here.
No changes from either side at the interval, which is not too much of a surprise at this stage of the match. However, I suspect that alterations will occur as the second half continues to advance.
Half-chance for the home side as Lass turns on the pace as he drives by Alves before delivering into the box, but Cordoba collects ahead of Bravo, who has been busier than he might have expected.
GOAL! Granada 0-2 Barcelona (Suarez)
Game over? Possibly. Barcelona have their second of the match as Suarez combines with Rakitic before sliding one into the bottom corner. Excellent pass from Rakitic and Suarez fired home!
That is the difference - quality of finishing. Granada could be in all sorts of trouble now.
Just a reminder that, as it stands, Barcelona will move one point behind the league leaders Real Madrid. The Catalan outfit are looking strong for another goal here as Neymar breaks down the left before delivering, but Babin is on hand to clear. Can Granada find a way back into this match?
PENALTY GRANADA!
Granada are awarded a penalty as Bartra fells Lass inside the box. Chance for the hosts here!
GOAL! Granada 1-2 Barcelona (Rico, pen)
Rico fires his effort past Bravo as the stadium erupts. Very much game on here!
Half-chance for the away side as Neymar collects a loose ball just inside the Granada box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. This match is bubbling up nicely now!
BOOKING! Neymar (Barcelona) is booked for a late challenge on Babin.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and Granada are giving this a real go as they continue to commit numbers in the final third. Barca are such a threat on the counter, however, with Neymar and Messi stretching the play in a wide area. The next goal - if there indeed is one - could be crucial.
BOOKING! Mathieu (Barcelona) is booked for a late challenge on Iturra.
I have a feeling that we could be on the cusp on a red card here as the challenges continue to arrive. Suarez in particular has been walking the line since picking up that booking in the first period.
The home supporters are not too pleased with the referee as Cordoba goes down under a challenge from Mathieu, but the official waves play on. No real chances to speak of in the last few minutes.
Not too much to report in the last few minutes, with Barca are comfortable in dealing with the pressure from the home side. I have a feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals this afternoon.
Half-chance for the away side as Messi stands over a free kick outside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Rafinha is preparing to enter the field for the visitors.
SUB! Rafinha is on for Xavi here.
SUB! Granada make their first change as Rochina replaces Marquez.
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining and the score is still 2-1 Barcelona, who are heading one point behind the league leaders Real Madrid as it stands. Can Granada force a late rally here?
GOAL! Granada 1-3 Barcelona (Messi)
Barcelona have their third of the match as Suarez races onto a through ball before rounding Oier and squaring for Messi, who strokes home from close range. Suarez could have easily decided to pass that into an empty net, but instead he found Messi, who is delighted with the Uruguayan!
It has been another professional performance from Barcelona - who are heading for all three points here bar a late collapse. Granada have played very well, but are coming up short as it stands.
Half-chance for the home side as Rochina tries his luck from outside the box, but Bravo is on hand to make the save. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining and Barcelona lead comfortably 3-1.
SUB! Barca make their second change as Busquets replaces Mathieu.
Half-chance for the away side as Neymar drives down the left before setting up Rakitic, but his curling effort is straight into the arms of Oier. Little over 10 minutes of normal time remaining here.
SUBS! Double change for Granada as Success and Candeias replace Lass and Cordoba.
SUB! Barca make their third change as Pedro replaces Suarez.
CHANCE! Messi has the chance to score a fourth for the away side following excellent work from Pedro, but the Argentine just places his effort wide of the post. Still 3-1 here.
If Granada play like this for the remainder of the season, then they will have a chance of getting out of trouble there is no doubt about that. Barca have just been too good in the second 45 minutes.
Pass, pass, pass from the away side as they close out the final five or so minutes here.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for the away side to score a fourth as Messi drives into the box with all sorts of space, but his effort is saved by Oier. How on earth has Messi missed that!
We are into the first of two added minutes here and Barcelona are searching for a fourth.
Mascherano and Alba get caught in a challenge with Success, but all three players return to their feet following a period on the deck. The referee is close to blowing his whistle here.
FULL-TIME: Granada 1-3 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Barcelona running out 3-1 winners on a fairly comfortable afternoon. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action!
