Barcelona continue marching clear with win over Girona
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Your support makes all the difference.Barcelona won its eighth straight Spanish league game as Lionel Messi scored in a 2-0 win at 10-man Girona on Sunday.
Barcelona kept its five-point lead over Atletico Madrid with Messi grabbing his 10th goal in a seven-game scoring streak in the league. He was left all alone to chip the ball over goalkeeper Yassine Bounou in the 69th minute.
The Spanish league had originally wanted to play the match in the United States, but the plan fell through. Instead of traveling 7,500 kilometers (4,600 miles) to Miami, Barcelona went 100 kilometers (60 miles) to Girona's Montilivi Stadium.
Right back Nelson Semedo gave Barcelona the ninth-minute lead when a loose ball fell to him in the area, and he used his left leg to rifle it inside the post. It was only his second goal in his second season with the Catalan club.
But Girona stifled Barcelona's attack and threatened to equalize on several occasions through striker Cristian Stuani.
Stuani's best chance came late in the first half when Marc-Andre ter Stegen got low to block his shot. Teammate Pere Pons came close to finishing off the rebound, only for Gerard Pique to clear his shot from the line.
The hosts lost defender Bernardo Espinosa to a second yellow card in the 52nd after he fouled Luis Suarez. But Girona still gave Barcelona trouble until coach Ernesto Valverde sent on Arthur for Arturo Vidal.
With Arthur helping in the midfield, Barcelona took control. Suarez then played Jordi Alba clear down the left, where the defender found Messi at the top of the box with only Bounou to beat.
Messi's goal was his competition-leading 19th of the season.
Messi was back in Barcelona's starting 11 after getting some rest in the previous two matches. He scored as a substitute in a 3-1 win over Leganes last weekend, and then was left off the squad in a 2-0 loss at Sevilla in the Copa del Rey.
Barcelona hosts Sevilla in the return leg of their cup quarterfinal on Wednesday.
What time does it start?
Girona vs Barcelona kicks off at 3:15pm (GMT) on Sunday 27th January.
Where can I watch it?
Girona vs Barcelona will be shown live on Eleven Sports 1 from 3:10pm (GMT).
Highlights will be on the Eleven Sports website after the match.
Player to watch…
Ivan Rakitic: The 30-year-old has been a mainstay in Barcelona’s midfield all season. The playmaker has only scored twice in the league, but his creativity has been integral to Barcelona’s impressive record. He may play alongside new signing Kevin-Prince Boateng in midfield.
Form guide…
Girona: DDDDLL
Barcelona: WLWWWL
Odds…
Girona to win: 7/1
Barcelona to win: 33/100
Draw: 17/4
Girona 0-1 Barcelona
14 minutes
Chance for Pons. A free kick is swung into the box and the midfielder meets it with a strong header. Ter Stegen is stranded but the ball loops over the bar. Barcelona look vulnerable from crosses.
Girona 0-1 Barcelona
16 minutes
Coutinho really should make it 2-0. Messi slips a perfect pass into the Brazilian, who runs through one-on-one with Bono. But he can't beat the onrushing goalkeeper with his finish.
Girona 0-1 Barcelona
20 minutes
Girona aren't making things easy for Barcelona. The hosts have edged possession so far and caused problems in the final third. They need to be constantly wary, though, of the threat posed by Barcelona at the other end.
Girona 0-1 Barcelona
22 minutes
Messi drives at the Girona defence and plays one-two with Coutinho. The Argentine looks to find a path through to goal, but he's crowded out and dispossessed.
Girona 0-1 Barcelona
23 minutes
Messi, unsurprisingly, is involved again as Barcelona come forward threateningly. He plays a delightful pass over the top for Suarez, who cuts back and returns the ball to Messi. He tries to curl a shot into the far corner but it flies just past the post.
Girona 0-1 Barcelona
27 minutes
Barcelona are starting to control this game now. Messi is dictating things, and plays another excellent pass into the path of Jordi Alba. His cross is blocked and Girona defend the resulting corner well.
Girona 0-1 Barcelona
29 minutes
Messi and Coutinho link up nicely again. The former drives towards goal and goes down under a challenge from Bernardo, who goes into the book. Barcelona have a free kick on the edge of the box.
Girona 0-1 Barcelona
31 minutes
Messi strikes his free kick at the wall and Girona look to spring a counter attack. Lenglet stops any progress with a cynical foul and picks up a yellow card.
Girona 0-1 Barcelona
32 minutes
Portu meets a delicate ball into the box but glances his header wide of the far post. It's the first time in a while that Girona have troubled Barcelona's defence.
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