Match Report: Granada CF v FC Barcelona B: Battling draw (2-2)

FC Barcelona B secured a valuable point at the Nuevo Estadio Los Cármenes against Granada CF (2-2). A fabulous strike from Ruiz de Galarreta and another from the youngster Abel Ruiz cancelled out Joselu’s penalty and Pedro Sánchez’s strike for Granada. The blaugranas didn’t give in when they went behind and their second half performance ensured they got something out of a tough away fixture.

The match started with both sides creating danger but with neither team dominating in the opening fifteen minutes. The midfield battle was intense with Gerard’s team trying to build moves from the back and control the ball. However, a Morer penalty in the 24th minute gave the striker Joselu the chance to open the scoring and he didn’t miss. The goal gave the home side the initiative and they didn’t relinquish it until extra time in the first half as Íñigo Ruiz de Galarreta produced a powerful shot which shot past Javi Varas and in off the bar (1-1).

Gerard López was forced into making a change as Martínez came off injured and was replaced by the debutant David Costas. The last-minute goal at the end of the first 45 minutes gave Barça confidence but they soon faced an uphill struggle once again as Pedro finished past Varo from another dead ball situation in the 52nd minute. Gerard’s side’s heads didn’t go down and they came right back at Granada with Vitinho, Aleñá, Ruiz de Galarreta and an impressive Jose Arnaiz leading the charge in attack.

Abel Ruiz repays Gerard’s faith

The pressure eventually paid off when Abel Ruiz ran in behind the home defence and finished excellently past Varas to make it 2-2 in the 68th minute. The blaugranas’ goal levelled things for the second time on the night and the two teams traded chances before the game became scrappy with frequent stoppages. The draw is a good result for Barça B at one of the hardest away ground to travel to in Division 2A.