Barcelona vs. Granada: Key Issues That Will Shape La Liga Game
Luis Enrique couldn't have had a more perfect start to his tenure, and another game at Camp Nou presents a real opportunity to extend Barca's lead at the top of the table.
Joaquin Caparros' side arrive in Catalonia looking to improve on an absolutely rotten record, but history is against his side.
What might we expect from the third La Liga game of the week?
Let's take a look...
Granada's Dogged Defence
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Barca know all about deeper-lying defences given their recent struggles against APOEL Nicosia.
Last season's loss at Granada should also be fresh in their minds too. An astonishing 81 percent possession per BBC Sport meant absolutely nothing as the Catalans still lost the game 1-0.
Yacine Brahimi was the match winner on that occasion in a match that was as notable for the incessant amount of crosses from Dani Alves than anything else.
Luis Enrique will need to have something else up his sleeve to stop a similar situation from manifesting itself.
Recent Record
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Aside from that 1-0 reverse in April of this year, Barcelona very definitely have the upper hand in this fixture.
Per Fussball Wettpoint, Barca have won every other contest for the last few seasons and the visitors run the risk of being another lamb to the slaughter, such is Barca's home form so far this season.
It's worth remembering that towards the back end of last season Barca came unstuck once or twice for underestimating their opposition.
Therefore the Catalans must ensure that they pay appropriate respect to a rival that hasn't started off too badly themselves during this campaign.
How Will Neymar Fare Against Allan Nyom?
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The form of Allan Nyom is crucial to Granada's aspirations in this one.
An extremely combative competitor, Barca found out to their cost last season just what a solid defensive presence the Cameroonian provides.
He rarely gives an inch and the battle between Nyom and Neymar down the channel should provide one of the talking points of the match.
If the Brazilian is unable to get the better of the right-back this weekend, as happened in the last encounter, then we could see some interesting attacking changes from Luis Enrique relatively early in proceedings.
Isolate Fran Rico
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If Granada's Fran Rico is allowed time and space on the ball, then the chances are he will hurt you.
Fully recovered from a serious injury, the midfielder is feeling confident and happy in a new-look midfield, per Heath Chesters of Inside Spanish Football, which could spell danger for the Catalans:
"Competition for places is stronger. We’ve not got six players fighting for two places. The club has made a great effort strengthening and that’s to the benefit of the squad.
Last season we played with a trio in midfield, which is the first time I’ve done that. This year we’re playing a double pivot in midfield, in which I have a better feeling with the ball.
"
The less time Rico spends on the ball, the better for Barca. His is a solid, accurate passing range, per WhoScored, and therefore it's imperative that the likes of Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta get in amongst the areas he patrols effectively and quickly.
Curtail Rico's natural game and you're halfway to winning the match.
Which Side Will Luis Enrique Put Out?
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This game comes at the end of a gruelling three-games-in-a-week spell.
If we also take into account the Champions League match, that's four games in 10 days that Barca have had to contend with.
Even at this early stage of the season, it's fairly sensible to utilise as many squad members as practicable.
The issue confronting Luis Enrique is who will win him the game, whilst still retaining a strong and robust presence in the squad as needed against what will be a resolute Granada outfit.
The youthful presence that has peppered Lucho's matchday squads thus far might well be absent from this one in favour of more experienced heads.
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