Barcelona 1-0 Granada: Rafinha scores bicycle kick as Barcelona move second in La Liga

Rafinha scored a bicycle kick as Barcelona struggled to a 1-0 win over bottom La Liga side Granada at the Nou Camp.

Lionel Messi and Neymar played the full 90 minutes ahead of Barcelona's away trip to Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday, but could not add to the solitary goal. 

Luis Suarez was presented with the Golden Shoe for his 40 La Liga goals in the 2015-16 season before the match, but cut a frustrated figure when he was taken off close to the end after missing several chances throughout the game. 

Rafinha's acrobatic effort keeps the pressure on Real Madrid, who beat Alaves 4-1 to keep their place at the top of the league, with Barcelona still two points behind them in second. 

Ahead of Barcelona's trip to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday Luis Enrique still opted to start Messi, Neymar and Suarez in attack, but made three changes to his midfield. Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Andre Gomes were all replaced by Rafinha, Denis Suarez and Ivan Rakitic.

It did not make any difference in breaking down the Granada defence though, which was formed of a five-man backline after Isaac Cuenca and Mathieu Saunier were brought in to add extra cover in a changed 5-4-1 formation.

Barcelona were left frustrated as Neymar was wrongly flagged for offside when through on goal in the 12th minute after a superb ball from Javier Mascherano, as chances came few and far between for the home side.

The home supporters entered into full voice in protest against the Spanish Football Federation during an otherwise uneventful first 45 minutes, with fans angered by claims Barcelona were "blameworthy" for a bottle-throwing incident during their last game against Valencia.

The best chance of the half fell to Suarez in the 28th minute though when he was picked out by another long-range ball from Mascherano, but after an excellent first touch put him one on one with the goalkeeper, he dwelled too long and defender Ruben Vezo was able to get back to make a last-ditch tackle.

Three minutes after the break Rafinha finally broke the deadlock, reacting quickest to take the ball off the toe of Messi with a volley into the top corner after Neymar hit the post.

Neymar could have doubled the scoreline in the 63rd minute, but after being picked out alone in the penalty area his well-struck shot was met by a strong hand from goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

On-loan Chelsea forward Jeremie Boga wasted a good chance to bring Granada level when he dragged a shot well wide with options available, while Suarez also blundered another clear-cut opportunity when he headed straight into the hands of Ochoa with the goal at his mercy.

Messi looked certain to seal the win a minute before full time but fired over when attempting to chip Ochoa as Barcelona had to settle for a hard-fought victory that keeps them firmly in the title race ahead of facing fourth-placed Sevilla next weekend.