Nelson Semedo's first LaLiga goal and Lionel Messi's 402nd in the competition ensured Barcelona saw off a stern challenge from Girona.
Match Report
Portugal right-back Nelson Semedo struck after nine minutes at Estadi Montilivi but, four days on from a 2-0 loss to Sevilla in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final, Ernesto Valverde's side were far from their fluent best.
Indeed, immediately after Bernardo Espinosa's red card for two bookable offences early in the second half, Girona continued to create the better chances and Barca were indebted to the heroics of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Player Ratings
Match Events
9'GOAL! Girona 0-1 Barcelona (Semedo)
GOAL!! Semedo punishes some shoddy defending! It's 1-0 to Barca! Messi teases a pass through for Alba to cross from the left. His centre evades the waiting Barcelona players but prompts a scramble, finally ricocheting to the feet of Semedo. The full-back slams into the bottom corner.
22' CHANCE! Messi's shot wide out
Suarez leads an attack but is forced wide, before he switches the play back to the edge of the area with Messi. A surprisingly poor touch gives the Barca captain plenty to do and a curling 25-yard effort drops just wide.
51'Second Yellow Card! Espinosa sent off
Espinosa is off for a second yellow! Having been initially carded harshly for a clash with Messi, the defender clips Suarez's heels and is dismissed to the disbelief of the home side.
68'GOAL! Girona 0-2 Barcelona (Messi)
Messi makes it 2-0! He stays onside and is all alone as he controls in front of goal before lifting a delicate finish over Bounou and into the net. Barca should be home and dry now.
Line-ups
Girona XI: C. Stuani, Espinosa, Alcalá, Juanpe, Y. Bounou, Portu, Granell, P.Pons, A.García, Pedro Porro, Valery
Subs: Iraizoz, Ramalho, Muniesa, A. Lozano, Paik Seung-Ho, D. Luiz, Álex Pachón
Barcelona XI: L. Messi, L. Suárez, Piqué, I. Rakitić, Vidal, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Philippe Coutinho, M. ter Stegen, Lenglet, Semedo
Subs: Prince, T. Vermaelen, S.Roberto, Jasper Cillessen, D.Suárez, Arthur, Malcom
VanishPrasad
414
Messi could’ve easily had 5 assists added to his name, shame though!!!
nightking10
320
the most lethal combination in world football. the messi-alba connection😍❤
apkwill
293
Coutinho destroying his career with big chances
Longlife2000
291
Nélson Semedo has scored his first goal for FC Barcelona! 🇵🇹👌
LaCeleste
271
We played a good game today. We were very lucky with Espinosa’s red card, I think he didn’t deserve the first yellow. We played some of the best tiki-taka I’ve seen for a while. I am very happy to see Roberto in midfield again. The last time he played there was when he dismantled Real Madrid 5-1. Alba played well-who else could assist Messi? Nelsinho has been fantastic at right back these last few games. Busi was back to his playmaking self. Coutinho was, well, bad. He needs help and right now I don’t mind if PSG buy him. Like I said we had lots of luck with the referee and that Girona just couldn’t finish. Hopefully we keep this up. Any comments? Have a great day & ¡Visca Barça!🔴🔵
Ashutosh545
263
Suarez has a good role in making the chances but he is not sharp in front of goal... [Spittongue]
Leo2426
240
Coutinho could have easily scored 2 goals and the victory woo would have been double of now. since dembele is injured coutinho should take this chance to prove himself that he is nevertheless. He had two beautiful chances. Barca spent 160 millions on him . last season was the vice versa. Dembele didn't prove he is worth 105 million. But this season dembele has scored more goals than coutinho more assists than coutinho. Hope coutinho doesn't leave barca in summer. Coutinho is a great player. I think he will show his magic in coming days. GO COUTINHO! !!!!! MES QUE UN CLUB!! ! ! FORCA BARCA! !!!!
billiong
227
Coutinho's disjointed from the rest of the team, I'm not sure if playing on the wing is the best spot for him, but I think it's vital for him to keep playing until he finds a comfort spot.
footballworldfresh
225
Messi showed his superiority..... 3 clear chances from Messi (one -on-one) to both Suarez and coutinho and they lose it....Dembele is needed ASAP
AntoJaison
213
Coutinho is playing like Alba in the team
ballstarsee
191
1. With his goal at Montilivi, Lionel Messi has now scored in 36 of the 42 away venues he has played for FCBarcelona in LaLiga (170 goals) 👏 2. FCBarcelona have scored in each of their last 32 LaLiga away games (77 goals), equaling their best run away from home in the competition (32 between February 2012 and September 2013).
LaCeleste
165
We played a good game today. We were very lucky with Espinosa’s red card, I think he didn’t deserve the first yellow. We played some of the best tiki-taka I’ve seen for a while. I am very happy to see Roberto in midfield again. The last time he played there was when he dismantled Real Madrid 5-1. Alba played well-who else could assist Messi? Nelsinho has been fantastic at right back these last few games. Busi was back to his playmaking self. Coutinho was, well, bad. He needs help and right now I don’t mind if PSG buy him. Like I said we had lots of luck with the referee and that Girona just couldn’t finish. Hopefully we keep this up. Any comments? Have a great day & ¡Visca Barça!🔴🔵
Pippa Nero
156
We didn’t really play well enough, I thought Girona had more intensity, and there crosses created problems for Our defence, we were lucky enough they couldn’t take there chance the red card was too harsh, and Arthur brought a balance too the midfield,Vidal was just all over the place, our overall play was sluggish, but the boys did well to get the win only champions win even at there worst. Visca Barcelona
Juebciruz
154
The only day I saw this coach behaving like a good tactician.
Rahulmessiarg
102
Honestly not the best display of Messi and very Mediocre for Barca but he seems to be in a scoring spree!!! All the best Leo for UCL more importantly. La Liga is almost bagged!!!
Williej
94
Coutihno was a total flop today. missed everything chance that was given to me. I fear to say his time in Barcelona is coming to an end. beautiful goal from Semedo, his first goal for Barcelona. impressive performance from Lionel Messi. but this is average compared to his best days, he showed true leadership today and Suarez could honestly have done better but I applaud his performance today. ste Stegen did some wonderful saves today. but jordi Alba and Messi were the men of the match for me. deadly and classy combination.
AbhijaiSingh
16
all 6 English teams went 4 European competition all qualified for the next stage
PSG beat Liverpool once Barcelona Destroyed spurs BARCELONA'S B team nearly beat Spurs again Man United lost to Valencia and Drew in the other leg only saved by De Gea. Man City lost to Lyon at home and got away because of being in an easy group. Liverpool lost to Red Star Belgrade 2-0. Liverpool lost to Napoli away Every Spanish team did the same except Valencia who got the better of United still and are struggling with RELEGATION this season , thats COMPETITION. Every Season Spanish clubs win the UCL and Europa League. Last year we Destroyed Chealsea Real Madrid beat Liverpool in Final And Spurs lost to Juventus in round of 16. Athletico Madrid beat Arsenal in Semifinals to eliminate them and ultimately won Europa League. SEVILLA won three consecutive Europa leagues with Unai EMERY and Real Madrid won 3 consecutive Champions league with Zidane and BARCELONA the season before and in 2011and EPL teams haven't even won more than 1 Champions league title in 11 years. EPL is overrated because it is the richest League that has highest coverage because of the universal language that is English otherwise Laliga is the better League in QUALITY Technical ABILITY Competiton. top 6 teams don't make up for a poor bottom half and realistically there are only 2 title challengers.
gadgets
15
the most lethal combination in world football. the messi-alba connection😍❤
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I swear Leo could’ve had like 100 assists in the past 5 years if Suarez could score