Girona – PedriBarcelona’s third objective in its final 4 matches led to Barcelona’s 1-0 away victory at Girona on Saturday, as coach Xavi Hernandez’s crew strengthened its grip on the highest of the Spanish League.
The midfielder fired dwelling simply after the hour mark, and headed dwelling his sixth objective of the season from shut vary after that Paolo Gazzaniga Ship Jordi Albacross on its method.
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 Montilivi stadium won’t ever be straightforward for Barcelona, however their activity has been additional difficult 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 fantastic type, was injured within the first half leaving him missing a objective menace in entrance of a Girona aspect completely happy to sit down again and play on the counter-attack.
A stalemate seemed attainable within the first half with both aspect closing in. Yan Couto missed the hosts’ finest likelihood 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 objective. Frankie de Younger I additionally pressed and pressed extra to assist Ansu and Ravenha in assault.
The objective pressured Girona to play extra up entrance however Barcelona – because of A.J Ronald Araujo Header from the road, some good protection from Jules Conde Ending the photographs – 14 clear sheets in 18 LaLiga matches this season.
2. “Potter” Pedri stars in his a hundredth look
Pedri was not match sufficient to begin this recreation after taking a knock in opposition to Actual Sociedad in the midst of the week. Nonetheless, Dembele’s harm and lack of attacking depth meant he was wanted sooner than deliberate.
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Subsequently, he got here for the a hundredth participation with Barcelona on the age of twenty. Xavi requested him to get into extra scoring positions and he responded. His objective right here was the epitome of being in the best place on the proper time as he made himself the winner of the match in opposition to Barcelona for the second consecutive weekend. He additionally scored the one objective in opposition to Getafe final Sunday.
His performances earned him the nickname “Pedre Potter,” and whereas Montilivi fell silent after his strike, that was all you can hear the radio commentators screaming.
3. Girona’s competitors comes up quick
Girona drew Actual Madrid earlier this season however couldn’t get factors from Barcelona. Regardless of a full of life efficiency after falling behind, they had been crushed by their Catalan rivals for the third time in a row at Montilivi in LaLiga.
They may 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 crew.
Nonetheless, that was not the case, and Girona remained goalless in opposition to Barcelona within the Premier League. They’ve proven all season that they need to have greater than sufficient to remain high, though a four-point hole over the underside three can be worrying for supervisor Michel, who was dismissed late on.
The most effective and worst performers
The most effective: Pedri, Barcelona
Winner of the Catalan crew match for the second week in a row.
Finest: Ronald Araujo, Barcelona
Uruguay’s restoration tempo helped Barcelona out a number of instances and he was a rock as Girona pressed late on.
Finest: Rodrigo Riquelme, Girona
The on-loan Atletico Madrid winger brought about lots of issues along with his troublesome footwork.
Worst: Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona
She began slowly after which was pressured out with an harm. Given his type and his significance, Barcelona hope that it’s going to not be critical.
The worst: Paulo Gazzaniga, Girona
He might have performed higher when he slipped the ball to Pedri for the objective.
The worst: Ivan Martin, Girona
An amazing late alternative to say a degree 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 mentioned
Barcelona coach Xavi: “We’ve to enhance, above all by taking extra attacking. They modified us their model [sitting back] Which shocked us, however we managed the ball and pressed excessive. We’ve to create extra. We’ve to be quieter within the final third. I am pleased with the three factors, however we now have to be vital of ourselves and admit that there are conditions the place we have to enhance.”
Xavi on Dembele’s harm: “I feel it was an harm. He felt one thing in his quadriceps. He will have exams however he will miss a couple of video games, we simply hope [he is out] for the least attainable time. We needed to open the sector with him in the present day, 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 traces, his ending passes… And in case you add his assists and targets to that, we’re speaking about among the best gamers on the planet 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 completely happy for Pedri, regardless of his a hundredth look for the membership. His numbers are incredible.”
Girona coach Michel: “We performed very well. We put in lots of effort and had three or 4 actually good possibilities. Barcelona solely had their objective as a giant likelihood. It is a disgrace to lose, I’d say it is not a good outcome based mostly on what was seen on the pitch.
This Barcelona crew may be very robust. Their stress after dropping 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 feel we did very nicely, reduce their possibilities and create ours. I’m happy with the efficiency.”
Key stats (courtesy of ESPN Stats & Data)
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In his a hundredth match for Barcelona, Pedri scored his fifteenth objective (all competitions).
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Pedri: The third objective 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 up to now 20 years that Barcelona have gained 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 stay on ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET). Subsequent, Barcelona host Seville on Sunday 5 February (Watch stay on ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET).
Girona: PlankFrames It would host Valencia in LaLiga on Sunday 5 February.Watch stay on ESPN+ at 10:15 a.m. ET).