Barcelona 1-1 Granada: 5 Talking Points as Araujo spares Ronald Koeman's blushes with late equaliser

#3 The kids are all right

Barcelona are relying heavily on their teenagers

Barcelona's capitulation against Bayern Munich left a lingering sore taste, but there remained a silver lining. The last 15 minutes of the game saw the likes of Gavi and Yusuf Demir step up admirably and show an element of resolve that had deserted the team's senior pros.

Granada are no Bayern Munich, but Barcelona faced similar creative struggles in the first half. The last half-hour did see the Catalans up their tempo, with both Demir and Gavi at the heart of some impressive passages of play. The latter is only 17 years old at the moment and managed to pick up his first La Liga assist with a cross that essentially earned Barcelona a crucial point.

The night, however, belonged to the 22-year-old Ronald Araujo. The towering defender was an unshakeable rock in Barcelona's defence and was their most promising goal threat throughout the game. The Uruguayan centre-back eviscerated Granada's defence on numerous occasions and was easily the best player on the pitch.

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#2 Ronald Koeman's days at Barcelona are numbered

Ronald Koeman has a lot to answer for

In the long term, it is not conceivable that Barcelona will persist with performances such as these. Given that the equaliser was a direct result of his gung-ho tactics, Ronald Koeman can make a case for himself tonight. The Camp Nou sets high standards, however, and Barcelona have a reputation to preserve.

Ronald Araujo might have spared his namesake the sack tonight with his equaliser. Koeman attributed his side's difficulties to Granada's antics off the ball, but it remains plainly evident that Barcelona are fairly clueless in possession.

Joan Laporta does not mince words, and Barcelona could be in for a rough ride both on an off the pitch this season. The Catalans are used to winning in style, and Koeman's inability to win despite abandoning Barcelona's fundamental ethos makes his situation ominous at best.

Ronald Koeman has already taken credit for Barcelona's future, but the club's self-proclaimed saviour will now need to address his own standing in the Catalan capital.

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#1 Identity crisis? What identity crisis?

Barcelona struggled against Granada

It is now undeniable: Barcelona have morphed into a grotesque symbol of anti-football. The fanbase has, for the past several years, struggled through a crisis of identity. Ronald Koeman begs to differ.

The decision to sign Luuk de Jong was arguably the biggest indicator of Barcelona's plans this season. The coaching staff seemed to have a clear plan going into the second half tonight and while it may have yielded a late equaliser, the fact that Barcelona need to resort to last-ditch crosses against Granada at the Camp Nou paints quite a picture of the club's astronomical sporting collapse.

About a decade ago, Stoke City unearthed the ultimate guide to their survival in the Premier League under Tony Pulis. The Potters packed the box with giants and the subsequent aerial bombardment would lead to occasionally stunning results.

Ronald Koeman essentially implemented his own version of 'Pulisball' against Granada. With Gerard Pique, Luuk de Jong, and Ronald Araujo up front, his midfield was visibly instructed to put in a cross at every given opportunity.

Barcelona ended the game with a whopping 54 crosses and a paltry one goal to their name. Compromises have to be made when football clubs are in transition, but Barcelona's demeanour tonight leaves them with no excuse.