Barcelona continue marching clear with win over Girona
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Your support makes all the difference.Barcelona won its eighth straight Spanish league game as Lionel Messi scored in a 2-0 win at 10-man Girona on Sunday.
Barcelona kept its five-point lead over Atletico Madrid with Messi grabbing his 10th goal in a seven-game scoring streak in the league. He was left all alone to chip the ball over goalkeeper Yassine Bounou in the 69th minute.
The Spanish league had originally wanted to play the match in the United States, but the plan fell through. Instead of traveling 7,500 kilometers (4,600 miles) to Miami, Barcelona went 100 kilometers (60 miles) to Girona's Montilivi Stadium.
Right back Nelson Semedo gave Barcelona the ninth-minute lead when a loose ball fell to him in the area, and he used his left leg to rifle it inside the post. It was only his second goal in his second season with the Catalan club.
But Girona stifled Barcelona's attack and threatened to equalize on several occasions through striker Cristian Stuani.
Stuani's best chance came late in the first half when Marc-Andre ter Stegen got low to block his shot. Teammate Pere Pons came close to finishing off the rebound, only for Gerard Pique to clear his shot from the line.
The hosts lost defender Bernardo Espinosa to a second yellow card in the 52nd after he fouled Luis Suarez. But Girona still gave Barcelona trouble until coach Ernesto Valverde sent on Arthur for Arturo Vidal.
With Arthur helping in the midfield, Barcelona took control. Suarez then played Jordi Alba clear down the left, where the defender found Messi at the top of the box with only Bounou to beat.
Messi's goal was his competition-leading 19th of the season.
Messi was back in Barcelona's starting 11 after getting some rest in the previous two matches. He scored as a substitute in a 3-1 win over Leganes last weekend, and then was left off the squad in a 2-0 loss at Sevilla in the Copa del Rey.
Barcelona hosts Sevilla in the return leg of their cup quarterfinal on Wednesday.
What time does it start?
Girona vs Barcelona kicks off at 3:15pm (GMT) on Sunday 27th January.
Where can I watch it?
Girona vs Barcelona will be shown live on Eleven Sports 1 from 3:10pm (GMT).
Highlights will be on the Eleven Sports website after the match.
Player to watch…
Ivan Rakitic: The 30-year-old has been a mainstay in Barcelona’s midfield all season. The playmaker has only scored twice in the league, but his creativity has been integral to Barcelona’s impressive record. He may play alongside new signing Kevin-Prince Boateng in midfield.
Form guide…
Girona: DDDDLL
Barcelona: WLWWWL
Odds…
Girona to win: 7/1
Barcelona to win: 33/100
Draw: 17/4
Girona 0-2 Barcelona
90+3 minutes
Brilliant work from Messi, who weaves his way past Girona's helpless defenders. He picks out Suarez but Bono is there again to save his shot.
Full time: That's it! Barcelona go five points clear of Atletico Madrid at the top with a professional win over their Catalan rivals. It might have been different had Bernardo not seen red early in the second half, and Ter Stegen needed to be on form to keep a clean sheet. But goals from Semedo and Messi were enough for the Blaugrana.
That's eight successive La Liga wins for Barcelona, who remain in a commanding position at the top. They're a huge 13 points clear of Real Madrid as things stand, too. Los Blancos, hopeful of closing the gap, are in action later on against Espanyol and we'll bring you live coverage of that one.
Real Madrid travel to Espanyol this evening looking to return to third in La Liga -- after Sevilla's 5-0 win over Levante yesterday -- and close the already significant gap on leaders Barcelona to ten points.
Santiago Solari's side go into this game in decent form: they have won their last three league games and finally appear to be playing with some consistency. And they face an Espanyol side with four defeats from their last five. Real, then, will be the favourites, but an upset shouldn't be written off.
Gareth Bale makes a welcome return to the bench after injury for Real, while Marcelo drops out of the team. His replacement at left back, Sergio Reguilon, has been something of a good omen for Los Blancos this season:
Youngster Vinicius Junior starts again tonight, and he is becoming an essential part of Solari's team. The 18-year-old has established himself as a key player over the last few weeks, taking the chance that presented itself following injuries to his attacking teammates. Expect him to be at the centre of things this evening.
The teams are out at the RCDE Stadium. We're moments away from kick off.
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