FC Barcelona had to win at home this Sunday evening to stay in the championship title race. However, the task was complex since for the 15th day of La Liga, the Catalans hosted Girona, undefeated since October and runner-up to Real Madrid (held to a draw by Real Betis, 1-1). If we expected to see Blaugrana domination in this meeting, the visitors showed good things in the game to worry the opposing rearguard.
A dynamic taking shape in the first quarter of an hour: with a superb lightning attack, Artem Dovbyk finished against Iñaki Peña, well assisted from the post (1-0, 12th). Enough to somewhat revolt Xavi Hernandez’s flock, with often stereotypical offensives. After a chest save from Paulo Gazzaniga against João Cancelo (18th), Robert Lewandowski deceived the Argentine goalkeeper with a header in the corner following the action (1-1, 19th). Already a scorer, Dovbyk was not far from the double but his helmet shot was too uncrossed to shake the Spanish goalkeeper’s net (23rd).
Girona surprising
Nevertheless, Michel Sanchez’s team continued to offer great football in Barcelona. And it took a flash of genius from a former Real Madrid player, Miguel Gutierrez, to see Girona regain the advantage. The Spanish winger made a solo run for 30 meters before sending his shot near the opponent’s right post (2-1, 40th). Returning from the locker room, the locals pushed as best they could to get back into this match, but exposed themselves to opposing counterattacks. On a long ball towards Christian Stuani, the Uruguayan deflected towards Valery, who eliminated Jules Koundé before adjusting Peña, also helped off the post (3-1, 80th).
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Despite a voluntary Ilkay Gundogan in the opposing penalty area, the German midfielder clearly lacked efficiency in the last gesture to put the two teams back on level terms. The former City man finally reduced the gap in added time with a nice sequence with his back to goal (2-3, 90+2nd). But the eternal Stuani was alone at the far post on Savio’s cross, in order to make the break again for the Blanquivermells and confirm their success in Montjuic. Three important points in the quest for the final coronation, since Girona takes sole lead of the Spanish championship. FC Barcelona is 7 points behind its evening opponent and falls a little further behind in its race for first place…
