Girona – PedriBarcelona’s third objective in its final 4 matches led to Barcelona’s 1-0 away victory at Girona on Saturday, as coach Xavi Hernandez’s crew strengthened its grip on the highest of the Spanish League.
The midfielder fired dwelling simply after the hour mark, and headed dwelling his sixth objective of the season from shut vary after that Paolo Gazzaniga Ship Jordi Albacross on its manner.
Barcelona, who fended off a late assault on Girona, briefly maintain a six-point lead over Actual Madrid, who host third-placed Actual Sociedad on the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
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quick response
1. Barcelona survives offensive absences to gather factors
A visit to the chilly and windy Montilivi stadium won’t ever be straightforward for Barcelona, however their activity has been additional sophisticated by the absence of the highest scorer, who scored 22 objectives. Robert Lewandowski And Ferran Torres by commenting. Then they misplaced Ousmane Dembelewho was in wonderful type, was injured within the first half leaving him missing a objective menace in entrance of a Girona aspect completely satisfied to take a seat again and play on the counter-attack.
A stalemate seemed attainable within the first half with both aspect closing in. Yan Couto missed the hosts’ greatest probability early on Ansu Fati He fired over the bar for Barcelona after a defensive error.
Xavi introduced Jordi Alba Marcos Alonso on the break to make up for the dearth of provide on the left and the change shortly paid dividends. Alba was already in a number of good positions when his cross led to the opening objective. Frankie de Younger I additionally pressed and pressed extra to assist Ansu and Ravenha in assault.
The objective compelled Girona to play extra up entrance however Barcelona – due to A.J Ronald Araujo Header from the road, some good protection from Jules Conde Ending the pictures – 14 clear sheets in 18 LaLiga matches this season.
2. “Potter” Pedri stars in his one hundredth look
Pedri was not match sufficient to start out this sport after taking a knock towards Actual Sociedad in the midst of the week. Nonetheless, Dembele’s damage and lack of attacking depth meant he was wanted sooner than deliberate.
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Subsequently, he got here for the one hundredth participation with Barcelona on the age of twenty. Xavi requested him to get into extra scoring positions and he responded. His objective right here was the epitome of being in the proper place on the proper time as he made himself the winner of the match towards Barcelona for the second consecutive weekend. He additionally scored the one objective towards Getafe final Sunday.
His performances earned him the nickname “Pedre Potter,” and whereas Montilivi fell silent after his strike, that was all you could possibly hear the radio commentators screaming.
3. Girona’s competitors comes up brief
Girona drew Actual Madrid earlier this season however couldn’t get factors from Barcelona. Regardless of a energetic efficiency after falling behind, they have been crushed by their Catalan rivals for the third time in a row at Montilivi in LaLiga.
They’ll bemoan missed possibilities late within the sport. Evan Martin They squandered their greatest and Valeriy fired in stoppage time. There was additionally Araujo’s header from off the road and a few final ditch protection from Conde because the 13,500 crowd rocked their crew.
Nonetheless, that was not the case, and Girona remained goalless towards Barcelona within the Premier League. They’ve proven all season that they need to have greater than sufficient to remain prime, though a four-point hole over the underside three could be worrying for supervisor Michel, who was dismissed late on.
One of the best and worst performers
One of the best: Pedri, Barcelona
Winner of the Catalan crew match for the second week in a row.
Greatest: Ronald Araujo, Barcelona
Uruguay’s restoration tempo helped Barcelona out a number of occasions and he was a rock as Girona pressed late on.
Greatest: Rodrigo Riquelme, Girona
The on-loan Atletico Madrid winger brought about lots of issues along with his tough footwork.
Worst: Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona
She began slowly after which was compelled out with an damage. Given his type and his significance, Barcelona hope that it’s going to not be severe.
The worst: Paulo Gazzaniga, Girona
He might have finished higher when he slipped the ball to Pedri for the objective.
The worst: Ivan Martin, Girona
A terrific late alternative to say a degree was missed.
Highlights and notable moments
Pedri got here to Barcelona’s rescue within the second consecutive LaLiga match.
Pedri finds a breakthrough for Barcelona ? pic.twitter.com/77wAViVSaN
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After the match: what the managers and gamers stated
Barcelona coach Xavi: “We’ve got to enhance, above all by taking extra attacking. They modified us their model [sitting back] Which stunned us, however we managed the ball and pressed excessive. We’ve got to create extra. We’ve got to be quieter within the final third. I am proud of the three factors, however now we have to be essential of ourselves and admit that there are conditions the place we have to enhance.”
Xavi on Dembele’s damage: “I believe it was an damage. He felt one thing in his quadriceps. He’ll have exams however he will miss a number of video games, we simply hope [he is out] for the least attainable time. We wished to open the sphere with him as we speak, put him in one-on-one conditions, and we misplaced an actual difference-maker when he got here out.”
Xavi on my mattress: “He makes a distinction with the way in which we play, getting between the strains, his ending passes… And should you add his assists and objectives to that, we’re speaking about among the best gamers on the earth in his place. He has to take extra dangers generally, however that is the way in which it’s.” Additionally for Gavi, Frenkie and Kessie… I am actually completely satisfied for Pedri, regardless of his one hundredth look for the membership. His numbers are incredible.”
Girona coach Michel: “We performed rather well. We put in lots of effort and had three or 4 actually good possibilities. Barcelona solely had their objective as a giant probability. It is a disgrace to lose, I might say it isn’t a good consequence based mostly on what was seen on the pitch.
This Barcelona crew may be very sturdy. Their strain after dropping the ball is excellent, the most effective within the league. They squeeze you, maintain you again and do not allow you to out. However I believe we did very effectively, lower their possibilities and create ours. I’m happy with the efficiency.”
Key stats (courtesy of ESPN Stats & Data)
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In his one hundredth match for Barcelona, Pedri scored his fifteenth objective (all competitions).
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Pedri: The third objective within the final 4 matches. This hyperlinks a complete of 23 earlier video games (all comp).
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That is the primary time previously 20 years that Barcelona have gained three matches in a row 1-0 in all competitions.
subsequent one
Barcelona: Barcelona will go to Actual Betis subsequent in La Liga on Wednesday 1 February (Watch dwell on ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET). Subsequent, Barcelona host Seville on Sunday 5 February (Watch dwell on ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET).
Girona: PlankFrames It’ll host Valencia in LaLiga on Sunday 5 February.Watch dwell on ESPN+ at 10:15 a.m. ET).