t even Lionel Messi’s return was eugh to prevent Barcelona from making its worst start in Spanish league for 25 years. Messi came off bench in second half for his first league appearance of season on Saturday as Barcelona lost 2-0 at promoted Grana. Barcelona is seventh with seven points from its first five matches. t since 1994-95 — when it h five points after first five games — has Barcelona h such a b start. “Clearly it hasn’t been a good start to season,” Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said. “re are a lot of matches still to be played, but it’s obvious that we need to improve.” 

Grana won three games in a row 

Ramón Azeez and Álvaro Villo scored a goal in each half for Grana, which is top of league with 10 points after its third win of season. Coming off two straight seasons in second division, Grana hn’t beaten Barcelona in league since 2014. It h lost six straight matches against Catalan club. It is first time since 1971 that Grana has won three games in a row in league without conceding. Barcelona, meanwhile, has conceded two or more goals in four consecutive league matches for first time since 2009. 

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“We are t creating eugh chances,” Valverde said. “We need to be more effective and translate our dominance into scoring chances and into victories.” Messi, who h been sidelined with a calf injury since preseason, also came off bench to play in Barcelona’s 0-0 draw at Borussia Dortmund in Champions League on Tuesday. His only chance on Saturday came with an 82nd-minute shot from inside area that was saved by goalkeeper. That was Barcelona’s only shot on target at Nuevo Los Cármenes Stium.  

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Grana’s game  

Grana opened scoring two minutes into game with a close-range heer by Azeez after Barcelona defender Junior Firpo lost possession near his own area. Barcelona improved significantly after Valverde brought on Messi and teen forward Ansu Fati after halftime, but it was Grana that ded to le with a penalty kick converted by Villo in 66th. penalty was awarded after a video review showed a handball by substitute Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal. result kept two-time defending champion winless in its first three away matches in league. 

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Atlético held again

Atlético Mrid was held by Celta Vigo to a 0-0 draw, missing its chance to regain Spanish league le. Atlético has same 10 points as Grana and Sevilla but trails both teams on goal difference. Sevilla has a game in hand, against Real Mrid on Sunday. It was third winless match in a row for Atlético, which was coming off a 2-2 home draw against Juventus in Champions League. Last weekend, Diego Simeone’s team lost 2-0 at Real Socied for its first setback of season. “We tried every way possible,” Atlético defender José María Giménez said. “We went for win until last minute. At least we didn’t concede this time, but we let two important points slip away.” Atlético h conceded six goals in its last three matches. Atlético striker Diego Costa and Celta defender Lucas Olaza were shown yellow cards after final whistle as players from both teams got into an altercation. Celta, which was coming off a home loss against Grana, stayed 14th in 20-team standings with five points from five matches. It hn’t won a point at Atlético since 2014. 

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