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
37 minutes
Vidal is the second Barcelona player to go into the book for a high foot on Granell.
Girona 0-1 Barcelona
42 minutes
Close! Portu plays the ball through to Stuani, whose close range shot is saved by Ter Stegen. The rebound drops to Pons and the midfielder looks certain to convert. But Pique, with typical awareness, is there to clear off the line.
Girona 0-1 Barcelona
44 minutes
Another yellow card. This time it's Busquets in the book for a late challenge.
Girona 0-1 Barcelona
45 minutes
Girona have ended the half strongly. Granell turns and fires a shot off, but his effort is poor and flies high and wide.
Half time: Barcelona go in a goal up at the break, but it might have been more had Coutinho finished a golden opportunity. Girona have put up a fight and remain in the game, although there's still a feeling Barcelona have yet to move out of first gear.
We might see a league debut for Barcelona's surprise new signing Kevin-Prince Boateng in the second half. The Ghanaian, formerly of Tottenham, Portsmouth and Milan, is on the bench today.
Barcelona, unmissable in their luminous away kit, get us going again.
Girona 0-1 Barcelona
46 minutes
Immediately, Messi wins a free kick in shooting range. A chance for the Argentine...
Girona 0-1 Barcelona
47 minutes
Messi lifts the free kick over the bar and Girona breathe a sigh of relief.
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