Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets reacts after missing a scoring opportunity during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Granada, at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain on Monday September 20, 2021.
Granada’s Quini, second from right, deflects the ball after a free kick during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Granada, at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain on Monday, September 20, 2021.
Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman points his watch during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Granada, at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain on Monday, September 20, 2021.
Barcelona’s Gavi, left, jumps for a header with Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Granada, at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain on Monday September 20, 2021.
Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong tries to control the ball during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Granada, at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain on Monday September 20, 2021.
Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo hits a header next to Granada’s Jorge Molina during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Granada, at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain on Monday September 20, 2021.
Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong gestures during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Granada, at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain on Monday September 20, 2021.
Luis Milla of Granada, left, challenges the ball with Yusuf Demir of Barcelona during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Granada, at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain on Monday September 20, 2021.
Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Granada, at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain on Monday September 20, 2021.
Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo, right, celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Granada, at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain on Monday September 20, 2021.
Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo, right, celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Granada, at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain on Monday September 20, 2021.
Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Granada, at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain on Monday September 20, 2021.
By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer
MADRID (AP) – Less than a week after a demoralizing defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Barcelona faltered again at Camp Nou, being held by Granada without a 1-1 win in the Spanish league on Monday.
Barcelona needed an equalizer in the 90th minute from defender Ronald Araújo, drawing taunts from many in the crowd of nearly 27,000.
The setback followed Bayern’s 3-0 defeat in the team’s first loss since Lionel Messi’s loss to Paris Saint-Germain, and increased pressure on coach Ronald Koeman and the chairman of the Joan Laporta club.
Granada have come to Barcelona winless in four games and after two straight losses, most notably at home to Real Betis in the Andalusia derby last week. He beat Barcelona at Camp Nou the last time they met in April.
“It’s a shame,” Araújo said. “If we could have scored earlier, we could have won. After the first goal, they fell back on defense and that made it difficult for us. “
The draw left Barcelona in seventh place, five points behind leaders Real Madrid with one game short.
Coached by former Spain coach Robert Moreno, Granada opened the scoring two minutes into the game with a header from Domingos Duarte from a set piece.
Barcelona spoiled two great opportunities to equalize before half-time: Sergi Roberto hit the crossbar from inside the box and Araújo’s header was brilliantly saved by Granada goalkeeper Luís Maximiano.
