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
Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid
45 minutes
Ramos was unable to shake off the injury he sustained just before half time, so he's been replaced by Nacho.
Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid
48 minutes
Real are immediately on the front foot and probing in search of a fourth goal. Vazquez is picked out with time and space on the right but his ball in is dealt with.
Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid
52 minutes
Benzema has been on top of his game tonight, and nearly creates another excellent chance. The Frenchman drives into space and plays a perfectly weighted pass through to Carvajal. The full back looks to cut the ball back across goal but his cross is intercepted.
Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid
54 minutes
Vinicius gets away with what appears to be a deliberate stamp on Hermoso. The officials didn't see it, although VAR is available tonight.
Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid
56 minutes
Benzema and Kroos link up and the latter takes on a shot from distance. Again, he hits it off target, but Espanyol won't want to give the German too many opportunities to shoot.
Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid
57 minutes
Vazquez runs into space on the right and picks out Modric. He links up with the lively Benzema, who plays a delicate ball into the feet of the Croatian. Lopez gets down excellently to save Modric's left-footed shot.
Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid
59 minutes
Benzema should probably have a hattrick. He and Modric combine well once again, but the Frenchman scuffs his shot and drags it wide. He puts his head in his hands, aware that that was a missed opportunity.
Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid
62 minutes
Vinicius races down the left, shrugging off his marker, and keeps going all the way through to Lopez in Espanyol's goal. He's stopped in his tracks just in time.
Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid
64 minutes
Bale, after a month on the sidelines, makes his return, replacing Vinicius.
GOAL! Espanyol 1-4 Real Madrid (Bale)
67 minutes
How about that for a return to action! Bale, having only entered the pitch moments before, picks up the ball in the box, turns and fires into the far corner. Vazquez and Benzema were involved in the buildup again, and things are looking up for Solari and his players.
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