Girona – PedriBarcelona’s third purpose in its previous 4 matches led to Barcelona’s 1-0 away victory at Girona on Saturday, as coach Xavi Hernandez’s staff strengthened its grip on the highest spot in La Liga.
The midfielder fired residence simply after the hour mark, and headed residence his sixth purpose of the season from shut vary after that Paolo Gazzaniga Ship Jordi Albacross on its approach.
Barcelona, who fended off a late assault on Girona, quickly maintain a six-point lead over Actual Madrid, who host third-placed Actual Sociedad on the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
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quick response
1. Barcelona survives offensive absences to gather factors
A visit to the chilly and windy Montilvi stadiums is not going to be simple in any respect for Barcelona, however their process has been additional sophisticated by the absence of the highest scorer, who scored 22 targets. Robert Lewandowski And Ferran Torres by commenting. Then they misplaced Ousmane Dembelewho was in high quality kind, was injured within the first half leaving him missing a purpose risk in entrance of a Girona facet glad to sit down again and play on the counter-attack.
A stalemate seemed attainable within the first half with both facet closing in. Yan Couto missed the hosts’ finest probability early on Ansu Fati He fired over the bar for Barcelona after a defensive error.
Xavi introduced Jordi Alba Marcos Alonso on the break to make up for the dearth of provide on the left and the change shortly paid dividends. Alba was already in a number of good positions when his cross led to the opening purpose. Frankie de Younger I additionally pressed and pressed extra to assist Ansu and Ravenha in assault.
The purpose compelled Girona to play extra up entrance however Barcelona – due to A.J Ronald Araujo Header from the road, some good protection from Jules Conde Ending the pictures – 14 clear sheets in 18 LaLiga matches this season.
2. “Potter” Pedri stars in his one centesimal look
Pedri was not match sufficient to begin this recreation after taking a knock in opposition to Actual Sociedad in the course of the week. Nevertheless, Dembele’s harm and lack of attacking depth meant he was wanted sooner than deliberate.
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Due to this fact, he got here for the one centesimal participation with Barcelona on the age of twenty. Xavi requested him to get into extra scoring positions and he responded. His purpose right here was an instance of being in the suitable place on the proper time as he made himself the winner of the match in opposition to Barcelona for the second weekend in a row. He additionally scored the one purpose in opposition to Getafe final Sunday.
His performances earned him the nickname “Pedre Potter,” and whereas Montilivi fell silent after his harm, that was all you might hear the radio commentators screaming.
3. Girona’s competitors comes up brief
Girona drew Actual Madrid earlier this season however couldn’t get factors from Barcelona. Regardless of a energetic efficiency after falling behind, they had been crushed by their Catalan rivals for the third time in a row at Montilivi in LaLiga.
They’ll bemoan missed possibilities late within the recreation. Evan Martin They squandered their finest and Valeriy fired in stoppage time. There was additionally Araujo’s header from off the road and a few final ditch protection from Conde because the 13,500 crowd rocked their staff.
Nevertheless, that was not the case, and Girona remained goalless in opposition to Barcelona within the Premier League. They’ve proven all season that they should have greater than sufficient to remain on the high, though a four-point hole over the underside three can be worrying for supervisor Michel, who was dismissed late on.
The perfect and worst performers
The perfect: Pedri, Barcelona
Winner of the Catalan staff match for the second week in a row.
The perfect: Ronald Araujo of Barcelona
Uruguay’s restoration tempo helped Barcelona out a number of instances and he was a rock as Girona pressed late on.
Greatest: Rodrigo Riquelme, Girona
The on-loan Atletico Madrid winger induced plenty of issues along with his tough footwork.
Worst: Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona
She began slowly after which was compelled out with an harm. Given his kind and his significance, Barcelona hope that it’ll not be critical.
The worst: Paulo Gazzaniga, Girona
He may have achieved higher when he slipped the ball to Pedri for the purpose.
The worst: Ivan Martin, Girona
An ideal late alternative to assert some extent was missed.
Highlights and notable moments
Pedri got here to Barcelona’s rescue within the second consecutive LaLiga match.
Pedri finds a breakthrough for Barcelona ? pic.twitter.com/77wAViVSaN
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After the match: what the managers and gamers stated
Barcelona coach Xavi: “We have now to enhance, above all by taking extra attacking. They modified us their model [sitting back] Which stunned us, however we managed the ball and pressed excessive. We have now to create extra. We have now to be quieter within the final third. I am proud of the three factors, however we have now to be important of ourselves and admit that there are conditions the place we have to enhance.”
Xavi on Dembele’s harm: “I believe it was an harm. He felt one thing in his quadriceps. He’ll have assessments however he’ll miss just a few video games, we simply hope [he is out] for the least attainable time. We needed to open the sector with him right this moment, put him in one-on-one conditions, and we misplaced an actual difference-maker when he got here out.”
Xavi on my mattress: “He makes a distinction with the best way we play, getting between the strains, his ending passes… And for those who add his assists and targets to that, we’re speaking about among the best gamers on the earth in his place. He has to take extra dangers generally, however that is the best way it’s.” Additionally for Gavi, Frenkie and Kessie… I am actually glad for Pedri, regardless of his one centesimal look for the membership. His numbers are implausible.”
Girona coach Michel: “We performed very well. We put in plenty of effort and had three or 4 actually good possibilities. Barcelona solely had their purpose as an enormous probability. It is a disgrace to lose, I might say it isn’t a good outcome based mostly on what was seen on the pitch.
This Barcelona staff could be very sturdy. Their stress after shedding the ball is superb, the most effective within the league. They squeeze you, maintain you again and do not allow you to out. However I believe we did very effectively, lower their possibilities and create ours. I’m glad with the efficiency.”
Key stats (courtesy of ESPN Stats & Data)
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In his one centesimal match for Barcelona, Pedri scored his fifteenth purpose (all competitions).
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Pedri: The third purpose within the final 4 matches. This hyperlinks a complete of 23 earlier video games (all comp).
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That is the primary time prior to now 20 years that Barcelona have received three matches in a row 1-0 in all competitions.
subsequent one
Barcelona: Barcelona will go to Actual Betis subsequent in La Liga on Wednesday 1 February (Watch dwell on ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET). Subsequent, Barcelona host Seville on Sunday 5 February (Watch dwell on ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET).
Girona: PlankFrames It is going to host Valencia in LaLiga on Sunday 5 February.Watch dwell on ESPN+ at 10:15 a.m. ET).