Barcelona last weekend failed to find the winning formula against their city rivals Espanyol, finishing the game with a goalless draw, 0-0, after which Barcelona dropped behind the leading La Liga side, Atletico Madrid.

La Liga
January 9, 2016 • 15:00 • Camp Nou, Barcelona
Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo
Barcelona – Granada Live Streams

It should be mentioned that the Catalans have played also a game less in relation to the Madrid club, and there is no reason for concern, for now.

During the week Barca played again against Espanyol but this time in Copa del Rey’s first leg match. Enrique’s side celebrated with a 4-1, and practically secured the passage to the next round.

Luis Enrique Martinez, coach of FC Barcelona (about Granada)

“They are a rival on the up – especially after the positive result they got against Sevilla. They need to keep gaining points and are in very good physical shape. They have players at a good level, and they can generate transition problems when attacking. It is an important game for us because it is officially the last game of the first half of the season – even though we still have a game to play. But all in all it is an important game. We will find the logical complications you find when playing against teams that remain in their area. And this will be made worse by the fact they have three very strong attackers.”

Luis Enrique Martinez, coach of FC Barcelona (about Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal debuts)

“In football all strategies are valid. We need to give them all the minutes we can. An option could be not giving them many at first and start giving them time to play bit by bit. I will make a decision based on what I consider is best for the team. They are already part of the team. They are already full Barca players. They have had the chance to make their debut as Barca players and to top it all with a victory. From now on they must improve their performance. Lets see what happens.”

Team Probable lineups

Barcelona: Bravo, D. Alves, Pique, Vermaelen, Mathieu, Busquets, Iniesta (Rakitić), Arda, Messi, L. Suarez, Neymar
Out: Rafinha

Granada: A. Fernandez, Mainz, Lomban, Doria, Biraghi, Krhin, R. Perez, J. Marquez, Rochina, Success, Penaranda
Out: Foulquier, Babin, Musavu-King

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