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Attendance: 65,444
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La Liga | Gameweek 20
Jan 19, 2020 at 8pm UK
 
Granada logo

1-0

Messi (76')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Sergio Busquets refuses to compare Quique Setien to Ernesto Valverde

Sergio Busquets refuses to compare Quique Setien to Ernesto Valverde
© Reuters
Setien kicked off his reign at the Nou Camp with three points.

Sergio Busquets refused to be drawn on comparisons between former coach Ernesto Valverde and his replacement Quique Setien after Barcelona's 1-0 victory over Granada.

The Spanish Super Cup semi-final defeat to Atletico Madrid 10 days ago prompted Barca to sack Valverde and replace him with ex-Real Betis coach Setien.

And the 61-year-old kicked off his reign at the Nou Camp with three points, his new side finally breaking their opponents down courtesy of Lionel Messi's 12th goal in as many games against Granada.

"There's no need to compare," midfielder Busquets told AS.

"Every manager has his own style and manner of seeing football. You'll see what Setien asked us to do.

"We won't be revealing what it was. We are happy with what Ernesto did and we are happy to have Setien now.

"It's better to have people up front and to press. There were moments in the game when we did that. We recovered it quickly and you have to grow and fight for everything."

Lionel Messi netted the winner for Barca
Lionel Messi netted the winner for Barca (Joan Monfort/AP)

Messi struck in the 76th minute, shortly after Granada defender German was sent off, to take Barca back to the top of LaLiga on goal difference.

Barca dominated the game throughout without creating many clear-cut chances until Messi's cool finish capped off a fine team move.

"It left some good feelings. We played solidly," Busquets said.

"We have control of the ball and we generated some chances. It's true that it cost us a bit when they retreated but in general the team played well."

Ricard Puig, a 20-year-old midfielder, was part of the move which led to Messi's goal after coming off the bench in the 71st minute.

"He has a lot of things to mature but you can see that he belongs here," Busquets added.

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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