Barcelona are looking to get back to winning ways when they host Elche on Saturday at the Camp Nou, having not racked up three points in their last three games across LaLiga Santander and the Champions League.
Elche are sitting just above the relegation zone, although there is no easy game for the Blaugrana of late. We’ll be bringing you all the updates, so follow along here with us.
Barcelona vs Elche FINAL SCORE: 3-2
This is the very start of our Barcelona vs Elche live blog, with the entries nearest the top the most recent ones. Below, we’ll bring you news from the build-up and then minute-by-minute updates too.
FULL TIME
Barcelona seal an important victory late on, after having let a two-goal lead slip.
Minute 85: Nico scores!
Gavi plays a one-two with Dembele before cutting it back to Nico, who lashes the ball home.
Minute 74: Nico denied, twice!
Abde is played through on goal but his heavy touch past the goalkeeper ends in a clearance that finds Nico. The youngster strikes on goal but it’s saved, and then his follow up shot is cleared off the line!
Minute 65: Jutgla misses a sitter
A fine ball in from Gavi is flicked on by an Elche defender to the feet of Jutgla. From inside the six-yard box, the youngster blazes over the bar. A big chance goes begging.
Minute 64: Milla equalises!
What a turn of events! From 2-0 down, Elche are suddenly level. Morente this time turns provider as he clips a ball to the back post for Milla who heads home from close range.
Minute 62: Morente scores!
Elche are back in the game! Fine work from Boye sets up Morente who smashes the ball into the top corner.
Minute 58: Jutgla forces a good save
Gavi plays the ball into Jutgla, who smartly makes space for himself on the edge of the box before striking with his left foot. But the goalkeeper gets down quickly to make the save. Very encouraging stuff from the young Barcelona striker today.
Minute 54: Elche counter attack
Elche break swiftly, helped by the referee’s smart advantage, but Fidel Chaves’ cross only finds Ter Stegen.
HALF TIME
Goals from Jutgla and Gavi have Barcelona cruising at the break.
Minute 34: Abde goes close
Young Abde cuts inside from the left and unwinds a fine curling effort towards the far corner but it’s just wide.
Minute 18: What a goal by Gavi!!
Gavi turns near the centre circle, then takes on two more opponents before sending the ball into the bottom corner. What a goal from the youngster!
Minute 17: Jutgla scores… and this time it counts!
Jutgla scores!! A cross from the right is met with a fine header from the 22-year-old, and this time it stands.
Minute 2: Jutgla scores… but it’s ruled out
The youngster Jutgla is played through and he tucks away the finish nicely… but the flag is raised! It was a close one.
KICK OFF
We’re underway at the Camp Nou.
16:30 GMT: Barcelona’s confirmed XI
It’s a young looking Barcelona team, as Ferran Jutgla gets his debut.
Barcelona’s confirmed XI: Ter Stegen, Araujo, Eric García, Lenglet, Alba, Busquets, De Jong, Gavi, Jutgla, Dembele, Abde
Barcelona vs Elche: Predicted line-ups
