Nelson Semedo's first LaLiga goal and Lionel Messi's 402nd in the competition ensured Barcelona saw off a stern challenge from Girona.
2018/2019 La Liga
0-2
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