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
GOAL! Espanyol 0-1 Real Madrid (Benzema)
4 minutes
That didn't take long. Real have started purposefully and they lead after just four minutes. Modric is allowed to run unchallenged into the box, before shooting from close range. Lopez saves well but Benzema is there to tap home the rebound. A woeful start for Espanyol.
Espanyol 0-1 Real Madrid
7 minutes
Marc Roca is the first player to go into the book for pulling back Kroos, who was about to start off a Real counter attack.
Espanyol 0-1 Real Madrid
10 minutes
Vazquez beats his man on the right and looks to pick out Benzema in the box. His cross is intercepted, but Real look dangerous whenever they go forward. They look like a side with renewed confidence.
Espanyol 0-1 Real Madrid
15 minutes
Vinicius again drives at the Espanyol defence, causing panic at the back for the hosts. He lays the ball back for Kroos whose shot is deflected wide.
GOAL! Espanyol 0-2 Real Madrid (Ramos)
15 minutes
From the resulting corner, Real make it 2-0. The set piece is played short to Modric, who has all the time in the world to pick out Sergio Ramos in the box. The centre back plants his header firmly into the far corner, leaving Lopez with no chance.
Espanyol 0-2 Real Madrid
19 minutes
It's all been far too easy for Real Madrid so far. Espanyol have been passive and ill disciplined, and the visitors have capitalised. This is more like the Real of old.
Espanyol 0-2 Real Madrid
24 minutes
Espanyol create their first chance of the game. Javi Lopez feeds the ball into Leo Baptistao, who shoots from a tight angle and draws a save from Courtois.
GOAL! Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid (Baptistao)
25 minutes
From nothing, the home side are right back in this game. Real fail to clear a corner and the ball drops to Baptistao, who rifles a shot into the roof of the net. Real have been impressive going forward tonight, but their defensive vulnerabilities remain a problem.
Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid
27 minutes
Baptistao is full of confidence. He collects the ball deep in Espanyol's half and powers forward, beating a couple of players before going down under a challenge from Ramos. The Real defender gets his customary booking.
Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid
31 minutes
Espanyol have built on the momentum following their goal and look far more competitive now. Real are no longer creating chance after chance and the hosts are fighting for the ball. It's a shame, from their perspective, that they started so tepidly.
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