First starts for Demir and Balde

Monday was a special night for Yusuf Demir and Alejandro Balde. The Monday night game with Granada was, for both of them, their first official starts for FC Barcelona. They have both been appearing in matches this season, but only coming off the bench. Neither had been named in a starting line-up before.

It was hardly the dream debut for either as the game ended 1-1, but individually the duo both impressed.

The Austrian made 33 passes and recovered three balls, while the left back passed 38 times and won two balls, but sadly had to leave the field before the break because of a back problem.

Coutinho: nine months on

It was also a special night for Philippe Coutinho, who was in a starting line-up for the first time in nine months. He had marked his return from injury by coming on against Bayern Munich the Tuesday before, but this was his first start since the game with Eibar last December 29.