Unstoppable at the start of the 2024-2025 season, FC Barcelona, a large winner over Valladolid (7-0) before the international break, wanted to confirm its great momentum on the pitch at Municipal de Montilivi. Facing Girona, Paris Saint-Germain’s future opponent in the Champions League, Hansi Flick’s men presented themselves in a 4-3-3 with an attacking trio composed of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski. After a sluggish start to the championship (1-1 against Betis, 0-3 at Atlético), the Blanquivermells hoped, for their part, to string together a third success in a row after the victories acquired at Osasuna (4-0) and Seville (2-0). However, Michel Sanchez Muñoz’s flock quickly suffered against the polished collective of the Culers.
Taking advantage of an approximate restart from the opposing defense, Lamine Yamal then lit the first fuse but his attempt was finally pushed back in two stages by Gazzaniga (6th). Mobile, technically sound and inspired, the Blaugrana club dominated the debates but did not find the fault, like this new imprecise strike from Baldé (23rd). It was necessary to wait until the half-hour mark to see this Catalan derby settle down. After a terrible error by David Lopez, dispossessed of the leather at the edge of his own area, Lamine Yamal recovered the ball and punished Girona with an inside left foot (0-1, 30th). The Spanish prodigy did it again in the process…
Barça have fun, Girona stunned before PSG
On a new ball poorly cleared by the Girona defense, the Barcelona number 19, lying in wait at the edge of the area, curled it perfectly into Gazzaniga’s right net (0-2, 37th). Stunned and dominated in all sectors by the Culers, the locals reacted, despite everything, just before the break. After a huge save by Ter Stegen on a shot too axial by Gil (42nd), Danjuma’s teammates thought they had obtained a penalty when Martinez blocked the ball with his hand. Yes, but there you go, to everyone’s surprise and after intervention by the VAR, Alejandro Muniz Ruiz finally reversed his initial decision (45+2nd). A choice that will not fail to get people talking…
Trailing at the break, Girona sank a little more after the break… Launched deep by Koundé, Dani Olmo followed up with a magnificent right-footed shot into the far corner (0-3, 47th). In control, Barça rolled on and came close to the fourth goal but Lewandowski, superbly found by Raphinha, came up against Gazzaniga (56th). Omnipresent in this match, Lamine Yamal flirted with a hat-trick but his curling shot with his left foot was also deflected (58th). The Barcelona waves multiplied and Lewandowski armed another shot. Off target (60th). It was ultimately only a postponement. On a marvelous pass from Casado between the lines, Pedri raced towards goal, eliminated the opposing goalkeeper and finished with his left foot (0-4, 64th).
Serene, Hansi Flick then made a large turnover. After the exits of Cubarsi and Olmo, injured in the nose, Lewandowski and Pedri gave way respectively to Torres and Pau Victor. So many changes which however did not change anything in the physiognomy of this meeting and the incontestable domination of Barça. Guilty of a slight relaxation in the last moments, Barça, reduced to ten after the expulsion of Torres, also conceded an anecdotal goal when Stuani, served by Portu, slipped the ball into the back of the net (1-4, 80th). With this new convincing victory (4-1), the Culers consolidate their first place before challenging AS Monaco on the first day of the Champions League. For its part, Girona will have to raise its head on the pitch of the Parc des Princes…
