Football/FC Barcelona vs Girona FC (2-4)

FC Barcelona lost the Catalan derby to Girona (2-4) on Sunday, and now have seven points less than their opponent in the evening. Girona FC is a leader who never ceases to surprise.

This Catalan derby was highly anticipated on Sunday between FC Barcelona, the reigning Spanish champion, and Girona FC, the surprise leader of La Liga.

And the result is smashing! The Blaugranas lost to their Montjuic crowd (2-4) to find themselves seven lengths from their opponent. The Blanquivermells lead with two points more than Real Madrid at the end of the 17th day.

Xavi’s team, dominatrix, was not skilled enough in front of the opposing goal and the Girona did not miss any chance or almost to score. Visitors from the North opened the scoring by Artem Dovbyk (12th), before a draw by Robert Lewandowski (19th). But Miguel Gutiérrez, a Real Madrid side, gave his team the advantage of a distant strike (40′).

Míchel’s men’s fatigue left more and more room for the Blaugranas, but only Frenkie de Jong and Ilkay Gündoğan rushed to take their chances (51′, 57′). Savío also tries to impress the gallery and enjoys crocheting a Jules Koundé next to his pumps, without much success (63rd and 72nd). Xavi relies on inputs that increase the physical pressure on their opponents, without affecting the opposing pressing very high.

And it is another replacement who will finally make him talk: Valery. The Girona midfielder, who entered in the 78th minute, picked up a ball badly negotiated by Koundé at the entrance of the box and opened his foot well to find the small net of Iñaki Peña (1-3, 80th). As Barca pushed harder, Ilkay Gündoğan reduced the score on a pivot goal (2-3, 90th+2).

An anecdotal achievement, since in the wake, Girona sealed his victory on a new opening with the conclusion of the pair Savio-Stuani (2-4, 90th+5). Paying choices to bring in two forwards, even when you’re already leading against FC Barcelona.

Pascal Amstrong