Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Barcelona continued their charge towards the La Liga title with a 4-1 home success over Girona.
ArnaAut Danjuma cancelled out an own goal from Ladislav Krejci to leave the two teams level early in the second period, but Lewandowski then hit a brace for Hansi Flick‘s side before Ferran Torres struck late on to secure all three points for the division leaders.
Barcelona have re-opened a three-point advantage over second-placed Real Madrid at the top of the The Table Leaguewhile Girona remain in 13th, with the Catalan side suffering their 13th league defeat of the campaign.
Flick’s team have now passed the 80-goal mark in La Liga this term, and the result has also moved them nine points clear of third-placed Atletico Madrid, with the capital outfit’s title hopes fading due to their disappointing recent form.
SPORTS MOLE’S VERDICT
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Real Madrid will have something to say about it, but Barcelona are title favourites at this stage of the campaign, and it would not be a surprise if the Catalan giants won a spectacular treble this season.
Barcelona are far from perfect, and there were some lacklustre defensive moments against Girona, especially for the away team’s goal, but there is just so much quality in the final third of the field for Flick’s side.
Torres cannot stop scoring, registering again off the bench here, while Lewandowski is on 38 goals for the campaign, with the experienced striker enjoying a remarkable campaign.
Raphinha and Lamine Yamal are also spectacular players, while Fermin Lopez is contributing heavily off the bench, and the team’s incredible firepower could lead to them blowing teams away, even in the latter stages of major competitions.
Girona did manage to give Barcelona a scare early in the second period, but normal service resumed quickly after that, and this was another excellent performance from the Catalan giants, who have found the back of the net on 82 occasions in La Liga this term.
Barcelona vs. Girona Highlights
43rd mins: Barcelona 1-0 Girona (Ladslav Krejci down goal)
Barcelona make the breakthrough in the latter stages of the first half, and it is an own goal from Krejci, with the Girona centre-back inadvertently deflecting a free kick from Yamal into the bottom corner of the net.
BRIKE: Barcelona 1-1 for Gadona (Arnaat Danjuma)
Girona level the scores in the early stages of the second period through Danjuma, with the forward breaking into the Barcelona penalty box before expertly sliding the ball into the bottom corner.
61st min: Barcelona 2-1 Girona (Robert Lewandowski)
Lewandowski sends Barcelona back ahead in the 61st minute of the match, with the Poland international finding the back of the net with an acrobatic effort after Fermin Lopez had headed into a dangerous area.
77th min: Barcelona 3-1 Girona (Robert Lewandowski)
Lewandowski has his second of the match and surely secures all three points for Barcelona, as the attacker fires into the bottom corner following excellent work from Frenkie de Jong in the middle of midfield.
86th min: Barcelona 4-1 Girona (Ferran Torres)
Barcelona add a fourth in the 77th minute of the contest, with Torres on the scoresheet, finding the back of the net with a composed finish after smart work from Gerard Martin in a wide area.
MAN OF THE MATCH – ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI
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Lewandowski is now on 38 goals in 42 matches for Barcelona this season, including 25 in 28 La Liga games, and the 36-year-old is seemingly firing his side towards the title.
The Poland international showed incredible athleticism to make it 2-1 just past the hour, before registering again with a composed finish in the 77th minute, and Girona just could not live with the striker, who had five shots in total during a dominant performance.
BARCELONA VS. GIRONA MATCH STATS
Possession: Barcelona 69%-31% Girona
Shots: Barcelona 21-4 Girona
Shots on target: Barcelona 9-2 Girona
Corners: Barcelona 10-2 Girona
Fouls: Barcelona 8-11 Girona
BEST STATS
WHAT NEXT?
Barcelona’s attention will now switch to the Copa del Rey, preparing to head to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night for the second leg of their semi-final, and the tie is delicately poised following a 4-4 draw in the first leg.
Girona, meanwhile, will be aiming to post their first league win since the start of February when they continue their La Liga campaign with a clash against Alaves next weekend.
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