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 group strengthened its grip on the highest spot in La Liga.
The midfielder fired house simply after the hour mark, and headed house his sixth purpose of the season from shut vary after that Paolo Gazzaniga Ship Jordi Albacross on its means.
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 menace in entrance of a Girona facet completely happy to take a seat again and play on the counter-attack.
A stalemate appeared potential within the first half with both facet closing in. Yan Couto missed the hosts’ greatest 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 shortage 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 – because of 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 sport after taking a knock in opposition to Actual Sociedad in the course of the week. Nonetheless, Dembele’s damage 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 damage, that was all you could possibly 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 vigorous efficiency after falling behind, they have been crushed by their Catalan rivals for the third time in a row at Montilivi in LaLiga.
They may bemoan missed probabilities late within the sport. Evan Martin They squandered their greatest 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 group.
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 will need to have greater than sufficient to remain on the high, though a four-point hole over the underside three could be worrying for supervisor Michel, who was dismissed late on.
One of the best and worst performers
One of the best: Pedri, Barcelona
Winner of the Catalan group match for the second week in a row.
One of the best: 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.
Finest: Rodrigo Riquelme, Girona
The on-loan Atletico Madrid winger prompted a number of issues together with his troublesome footwork.
Worst: Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona
She began slowly after which was compelled out with an damage. Given his kind and his significance, Barcelona hope that it’s going to not be critical.
The worst: Paulo Gazzaniga, Girona
He might have executed higher when he slipped the ball to Pedri for the purpose.
The worst: Ivan Martin, Girona
An awesome 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 mentioned
Barcelona coach Xavi: “We’ve got 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’ve got to create extra. We’ve got to be quieter within the final third. I am proud of the three factors, however we’ve to be important of ourselves and admit that there are conditions the place we have to enhance.”
Xavi on Dembele’s damage: “I feel it was an damage. He felt one thing in his quadriceps. He will have assessments however he’ll miss just a few video games, we simply hope [he is out] for the least potential time. We wished to open the sphere 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 when you add his assists and targets to that, we’re speaking about the most effective 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 one centesimal look for the membership. His numbers are improbable.”
Girona coach Michel: “We performed very well. We put in a number of effort and had three or 4 actually good probabilities. Barcelona solely had their purpose as an enormous probability. It is a disgrace to lose, I’d say it isn’t a good consequence based mostly on what was seen on the pitch.
This Barcelona group may be very sturdy. Their stress after dropping the ball is superb, the perfect within the league. They squeeze you, maintain you again and do not allow you to out. However I feel we did very properly, reduce their probabilities and create ours. I’m happy with the efficiency.”
Key stats (courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information)
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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 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 reside on ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET). Subsequent, Barcelona host Seville on Sunday 5 February (Watch reside on ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET).
Girona: PlankFrames It should host Valencia in LaLiga on Sunday 5 February.Watch reside on ESPN+ at 10:15 a.m. ET).