Barça had to atone for its conduct two weeks after the humiliation suffered in Seville (4-1). And even if the victory against Girona (2-1) was slow to take shape this Saturday, it at least showed the character that this team was capable of showing, even with its back to the wall. Long held in check by the 18th in Liga, Barça won in the final moments of the match thanks to Ronald Araujo, although worrying for most of the match. Because yes, if this opposition made it possible to remind, if it was still necessary, that Lamine Yamal and Pedri were generational players, it also above all highlighted the generosity of the Barcelona defense, far too permissive again this evening. 15 minutes were enough for the demons to resurface, but fortunately, Barça has the talent up front to allow themselves to score more goals than concede.
A surprise starter for his return from injury, Lamine Yamal also showed that even weakened, he remained a player capable of unbalancing any block in the world. Moreno paid the price until the 18-year-old came off in the second half. He was mystified from the start by a great bridge from the Barcelona prodigy, who constantly caused trouble with the ball at his feet, but less so as he approached the goal where the finishing failed him. However, he was still a decisive passer for Pedri a few moments later. At the end of a long sequence of possession during which Koundé even amazed us with his technical skills, Lamine Yamal stared and found Pedri in the area. The Spaniard turned around, caressed the ball with his left foot diagonally, and adjusted with the help of the post Gazzaniga, who remained stunned and spectator like his defense against the Spanish genius (13th). If Barça could rely as much on its offensive elements as on its defenders, its domination on a European scale would probably not suffer any challenge. But his shaky offside management and his uninterrupted wait-and-see attitude opened the way for his opponent.
Araujo offers victory to Barça after a worrying performance
Barely seven minutes after Pedri's goal, it was this passivity that allowed Axel Witsel, 36, to score perhaps the most striking goal of his career with a return (20th, 1-1). We cannot say that Barça did not have the opportunities to take cover in the first period, but the opposite would have worked too… Szczesny saved Barcelona in front of Vanat after another lapse from Koundé (23rd), Portu hit the post taking advantage of a moment of confusion from Pedri (24th), while Bryan Gil and Axel Witsel also sketched the score sheet before the break. Opposite, Gazzaniga pulled out all the stops on a rebound from de Jong, while his bar saved him from a powerful free kick from Rashford.
Returning from injury and entering at the break in place of the very young Toni Fernandez (17 years old), for whom the starting costume still seemed too big, Fermin Lopez will have brought life to this meeting. Full of personality, he was blocked the first time then hit the post on his second attempt (52nd). Cubarsi was no more successful since his goal was disallowed for offside (61st), while Roony Bardghji ignited the match with his dribbling, but often lacked precision in the last gesture. Girona did not take advantage of the gaping boulevards left behind Cubarsi and Araujo, and the punishment finally came at the feet of the most unexpected hero: Ronald Araujo, who did not embody all-risk insurance during the match. The Uruguayan remained at the forefront and received a cross from de Jong to score the winning goal in the 90+3 minute. A joy that Flick, expelled three minutes earlier, would not have been able to experience live. But the German will be satisfied with the result. Barça temporarily regains the lead in the championship.
