I am unsure as to how many people knew that Barca took on Granada in last night's Copa Del Rey quarter final. For those who didn't know, this was an absolute epic! Barcelona absolutely hammered Granada into the ground but found themselves 1-0 down through a Kenedy (remember him Chelsea fans) tap in, after slopiness from Busquets and Umtiti. For me going into HT 1-0 down was no issue, Barca were firmly in control and barring some wonder saves from Granada GK Aaron would've been 3 up by HT. Surely the pressure would tell second half? Nope.
Just minutes after the restart, a long ball forward by Granada caught Umtiti out of position as former Premier League talisman (remember him Spurs fans LOL) Roberto Soldado slotted past Ter Stegen for 2-0. Barca had a lot of work on now and it felt like luck was against us. In scenes reminiscent of the alamo, Barca hit the woodwork 3 times and were again denied by more wonder saves from Aaron. One from a Messi effort was outrageous and a reflex stop to deny Griezmann an overhead kick was just silly.
5 minutes to go and Barca looked like they would be bemoaning their luck, it just felt to me it was one of those games in which the ball won't go in. Then, up step Antoine Griezmann. Let me start by saying I have probably been his fiercest critic this season, I never hold back on the guy because for what he cost he's never ever done it when it matters. Until now.
Minute 87 and a perfectly timed run by Griezmann was met with the perfect ball by Messi. His header richochets off the post, hits the keeper and goes in. 2-1 with a few minutes spare. Could Barca do it?? Oh yes. Into injury time and another perfect run by Griezmann was found by Messi. Almost a carbon copy of the goal for 2-1, but Griezmann unselfishly lays it across for Jordi Alba to equalize! 2-2 in the dying seconds and Barca had done it.
Extra time proved just as exciting as Barca took the lead as, once again, Griezmann stepped up when it mattered. The Frenchman making it 3-2 on minute '100. Surely the drama was over now? Barca could keep possession and see the game out, couldn't they? Oh no no no. Almost instantly Granada broke up the pitch to earn a penalty which Fede Vico duly converted. 3-3 on the night! But it was Barcelona who earned a victory in the second period with a wonderful volley from Jordi Alba and then a rebound from De Jong after Messi's effort.
MOTM: Antoine Griezmann
Barca advance to the semi finals and are clear favourites to win the trophy in April, a hugely significant milestone for Koeman and some of his young squad.
HIGHLIGHTS HERE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4miQNlD9MQ
Granada 3 FCB 5 Post Match Review
posted on 4/2/21
comment by Mi Pelea (U18355)
posted 2 minutes ago
“I am unsure as to how many people knew that Barca took on Granada in last night's Copa Del Rey quarter final”
Did you know it was on lol. You were only talking about the Liverpool game when this match was on
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I have multi screen in my house so I watched both. The Barca game was epic mate.
posted on 4/2/21
Griezmann can be such a cringe, but as I discussed with you before, he's not just a good footballer but also a very hard worker. You could see that he was trying to find a way to make himself useful, doing whatever he could to adapt his game to a system he didn't seem to fit well. Such a stark contrast to Coutinho, who has to be one of the biggest wastes of money in the history of La Liga (and there's some pretty stiff competition when you think of signings such as Denilson, Kaka or, thus far, Hazard).
Back to Griezmann though, and even though earlier in the season seemed to be missing the target in every possible way, but I always felt that it was a question of him turning a corner.
Has he turned it now? Hard to say, he still needs to sustain this kind of form, but it's definitely picked up and it he appears to have regained some of the confidence of old.
The downside for me is that his upturn is good for Barça, but I am genuinely happy for him that his hard work is finally starting to pay dividends.
posted on 4/2/21
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 5 minutes ago
Griezmann can be such a cringe, but as I discussed with you before, he's not just a good footballer but also a very hard worker. You could see that he was trying to find a way to make himself useful, doing whatever he could to adapt his game to a system he didn't seem to fit well. Such a stark contrast to Coutinho, who has to be one of the biggest wastes of money in the history of La Liga (and there's some pretty stiff competition when you think of signings such as Denilson, Kaka or, thus far, Hazard).
Back to Griezmann though, and even though earlier in the season seemed to be missing the target in every possible way, but I always felt that it was a question of him turning a corner.
Has he turned it now? Hard to say, he still needs to sustain this kind of form, but it's definitely picked up and it he appears to have regained some of the confidence of old.
The downside for me is that his upturn is good for Barça, but I am genuinely happy for him that his hard work is finally starting to pay dividends.
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I was delighted with Griezmann yesterday. He didn't just show quality and hard work, he showed leadership. Demanding the ball, finally making things happen and then big moments to save Barca when they had to be saved.
I am not totally convinced just yet though. I want to see him do that again and again for Barca in more big games, if he does he will become a legend. Imagine if he bailed Barca out like that against PSG or shut Madrid up come April!
posted on 4/2/21
Just watched extended highlights of the game now. Going on that, I'd be equally tempted to award Messi MotM. Doesn't show when you look at the scoresheet, but iy looks like he was at the heart of practically everything Barça created in attack. Griezmann still had to make those two runs for the goals that brought it level, but the passes were sublime.
Got to feel a bit for Granada's 'keeper too. Such a fantastic performance, only to concede that first goal from an unlucky richochet. Almost conceded a second in similar fashion too, with that Messi shot at 2-1 that came off the post and nearly hit him again.
Alba's second to close the scoring was a thing of beauty, btw.
Shout out too to Levante reserve 'keeper Dan Cardenas, who made 12 saves for a clean sheet in their 1-0 e.t. win against Villarreal.
posted on 4/2/21
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 7 minutes ago
Just watched extended highlights of the game now. Going on that, I'd be equally tempted to award Messi MotM. Doesn't show when you look at the scoresheet, but iy looks like he was at the heart of practically everything Barça created in attack. Griezmann still had to make those two runs for the goals that brought it level, but the passes were sublime.
Got to feel a bit for Granada's 'keeper too. Such a fantastic performance, only to concede that first goal from an unlucky richochet. Almost conceded a second in similar fashion too, with that Messi shot at 2-1 that came off the post and nearly hit him again.
Alba's second to close the scoring was a thing of beauty, btw.
Shout out too to Levante reserve 'keeper Dan Cardenas, who made 12 saves for a clean sheet in their 1-0 e.t. win against Villarreal.
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I love Messi more than anyone, the G.O.A.T without debate. But I have to be fair, Griezmann was my MOTM because of the last 5 minutes; those key moments were his bits of quality so I applaud him.
Yeah that GK Aaron was superb, fair play to him. I like Ledesma too from Cadiz and Unai Simon. Ruben Blanco is another top keeper for Vigo.
Are you a Madrid fan?
posted on 4/2/21
Yes, but above all I enjoy good football ahead of any tribal alliance.
posted on 4/2/21
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 2 minutes ago
Yes, but above all I enjoy good football ahead of any tribal alliance.
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Tell you what mate, that Fede Valverde is some player isn't he? I went to the 0-0 Clasico in December '19 and Madrid should've won but him and Kroos were superb. I like Mendy too at LB, one of the best in the world to me.
What's happened to Hazard then???
posted on 4/2/21
Hazard's been a sick note ever since he joined. Hard to say what he might do for us as he's never had a consistent enough run of games to play himself into a bit of form. His latest injury, as per what I heard on the radio, is due to muscle fatigue. Fack knows how that's possible having played so little.
I don't actually get to watch all that much football nowadays, not since I cancelled my cable tv subscription, so I'm a bit out of touch. From what I have watched though, Madrid on the whole are pretty underwhelming. I agree Valverde needs to play more often. We need his energy in midfield. Casemiro is key too. Can't say I've watched or paid enough attention to Mendy to have a strong opinion either way.
posted on 4/2/21
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 8 minutes ago
Hazard's been a sick note ever since he joined. Hard to say what he might do for us as he's never had a consistent enough run of games to play himself into a bit of form. His latest injury, as per what I heard on the radio, is due to muscle fatigue. Fack knows how that's possible having played so little.
I don't actually get to watch all that much football nowadays, not since I cancelled my cable tv subscription, so I'm a bit out of touch. From what I have watched though, Madrid on the whole are pretty underwhelming. I agree Valverde needs to play more often. We need his energy in midfield. Casemiro is key too. Can't say I've watched or paid enough attention to Mendy to have a strong opinion either way.
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Maybe his muscle resistance was poor because he didn't play for so long and then played a few games all of a sudden.
Casemiro is world class for me. Do you not watch Madrid on streams? I think Atleti will just coast to the title now .Simeone's second league title, fair play to him he's an elite manager.
posted on 4/2/21
I used to, but matches are normally at family times, and I'm the only one in the house who likes footy. I'd rather do something with them.
Hard to see Atleti messing it up from this position. Looking at how each team's progressing, if things do go pear-shaped for them at any stage it'll be Barça chasing them down, not Madrid.