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La Liga | Gameweek 20
Jan 19, 2020 at 8pm UK
 
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1-0

Messi (76')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Lionel Messi fires Barcelona to victory in Quique Setien's first game

:Headline: Result: Lionel Messi fires Barcelona to victory in Quique Setien's first game: ID:386723: from db_amp
Barcelona sacked Ernesto Valverde and replaced him with former Real Betis coach Quique Setien.

Lionel Messi's 76th-minute winner marked new Barcelona coach Quique Setien's first game in charge with a 1-0 victory over Granada to move back to the top of LaLiga on goal difference.

The Spanish Super Cup semi-final defeat to Atletico Madrid 10 days ago prompted Barca to sack Ernesto Valverde and replace him with former Real Betis coach Setien.

And the 61-year-old kicked off his reign at the Nou Camp with three points, his new side finally breaking their opponents down courtesy of Messi's 12th goal in as many games against Granada.

The visitors hit the post through Yan Brice, but could not secure their first point at this ground as they failed to hold out with 10 men after German's dismissal 21 minutes from time.

Setien patrolled the touchline as Barca, without injured striker Luis Suarez and suspended midfielder Frenkie De Jong, dominated from the off.

They almost went ahead in the sixth minute but Rui Silva parried out Ansu Fati's low shot.

Fati, on the stretch, then prodded an effort over the top after excellent play from Messi, who could not keep a curling 25-yard free-kick under the crossbar.

Arturo Vidal had a weak shot saved by Silva before Granada threatened for the first time just before the half-hour when Carlos Fernandez drilled an effort wide.

Messi almost gave Barca the lead on the stroke of half-time, firing a Jordi Alba cutback into the side-netting when well placed in the area.

Barcelona picked up where they left off at the start of the second half without creating any clear-cut chances, struggling to make inroads on the stubborn Granada defence as Messi and Ivan Rakitic fired shots wide.

After Alvaro Vadillo blazed a free-kick hopelessly over, Granada offered a warning sign to Barca in a rare attack in the 65th minute.

Brice beat Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and saw his low 20-yard effort cannon back off the inside of the post.

Lionel Messi controlled the game (Joan Monfort/AP)

Granada were soon on the back foot though as, after Antoine Griezmann had a shot saved, they were reduced to 10 men when defender German tripped Messi and received a second yellow card.

And they paid the price with 14 minutes remaining following a fine goal from Messi.

The playmaker started the move with a pass to Griezmann on the edge of the box and, after the Frenchman's flick found Vidal, Messi converted the midfielder's backheel by rolling the ball into the corner of the net.

Barca refused to settle for one goal as Messi had a shot parried wide by Silva and Griezmann fired into the side-netting from a tight angle.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid33266171224984
2GironaGirona33225669402971
3Barcelona32217464372770
4Atletico MadridAtletico33204962392364
5Athletic Bilbao331610753332058
6Real Sociedad331312846351151
7Real BetisBetis33121384139249
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal33129125455-145
10Getafe331013104145-443
11Osasuna33116163749-1239
12Sevilla33911134246-438
13AlavesAlaves33108153138-738
14Las PalmasLas Palmas33107163041-1137
15Rayo Vallecano33713132742-1534
16Mallorca33614132739-1232
17Celta Vigo33710163750-1331
18CadizCadiz33414152346-2326
19Granada3349203661-2521
RAlmeria33111213267-3514
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