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
51 minutes
Bernardo Espinosa goes in late on Suarez and picks up his second yellow card of the game. Girona's task has now been made even more difficult because of the impetuousness of the defender.
Girona 0-1 Barcelona
55 minutes
Excellent pressing from Girona, who win the ball back deep in Barcelona's half. Stuani again finds himself in space but again his shot is saved by Ter Stegen. The hosts have responded well to going down to ten.
Girona 0-1 Barcelona
56 minutes
Girona come close again! The ball is played tantalisingly across goal and met by Stuani, who looks certain to score. Ter Stegen is out quickly and gets enough on the ball to turn it behind.
Girona 0-1 Barcelona
57 minutes
Stuani is again appealing for a penalty after going down under a challenge from Alba. It's the home side piling on the pressure at the moment.
Girona 0-1 Barcelona
58 minutes
Vidal, on a yellow card, is off for Arthur. The Chilean doesn't look happy about being replaced.
Girona 0-1 Barcelona
60 minutes
Messi and Suarez link up on the edge of the box and look to play their way through a compact Girona defence. Every avenue is cut off, though. Barcelona need a second goal to make things more secure.
Girona 0-1 Barcelona
65 minutes
Messi controls a long ball from Ter Stegen superbly and drives at the Girona defence. His pass, intended for Suarez, is cut out.
At the other end, Stuani throws himself at another dangerous cross, but can't connect with his header.
GOAL! Girona 0-2 Barcelona (Messi)
69 minutes
There's the crucial second goal. Alba is played through down the left and cuts the ball across for Messi. He dinks his finish delicately over the onrushing Bono and gets his 19th La Liga goal of the season.
Girona 0-2 Barcelona
71 minutes
That goal has knocked the stuffing out of Girona, who were already beginning to tire with ten men. Barcelona are able to dominate possession now and the hosts are finding it difficult to deny them space.
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