FC Barcelona started the matchday at the top of the table—but that is now gone. In the Catalan derby at FC Girona, Barca lost 2-1 despite taking the lead.
Barca coach Hansi Flick made two changes after the 4-0 cup debacle against Atletico Madrid. Martin and Raphinha started in place of Balde and Casado.
Despite top chances: First half goalless
From the start, it was clear how the first 45 minutes in particular would unfold. Lamine Yamal (6th, 17th) and Raphinha (17th, 18th) missed three good chances. Girona also got into the game and had chances to take the lead. Vanat (23rd, 35th) and Bryan (29th) also missed several opportunities to make it 1-0 for the home side.
The game went back and forth during this phase. The Blaugrana even hit the post twice.
First Raphina (43rd minute), then shortly afterwards Lamine Yamal, who hit the right post with a penalty (43rd minute). Dani Olmo had previously been brought down by Blind. Given the chances, it seemed absurd that the score remained goalless at half-time.
Cubarsi’s lead was short-lived
After the break, Bryan had the first chance but failed to beat Garcia (53′). Barca pushed Girona back during this phase but hardly created any dangerous chances – until the 59th minute. After a cleared corner, Koundé brought the ball back into the center, where Cubarsi scored with his shoulder in a somewhat unconventional manner. Girona responded immediately, however. Vanat found Lemar with his second attempt with a low cross, and Lemar only had to tap the ball in (61′).
Girona now pushed for the lead, repeatedly breaking through Barca’s high defensive line, but failed to score through Tsygankov (70′), Ivan Martin (72′) and Joel Roca (75′) but failed several times against the formidable Garcia. The Blaugrana did nothing for a long time before they started to push forward again and had chances through Bardghji (77′) and Lamine Yamal (82′). Shortly afterwards, there was a shock for Barca. Echeverri beat Koundé, albeit with a challenge that was borderline foul. The ball went to Roca and then to Fran Beltran, who slotted it into the bottom left corner (86′). The VAR reviewed the scene but waved play on.
Equalizer disallowed – Roca sees red
Things then became turbulent. Barca tried their luck with crosses from the halfway line. One of them found its way into the net. However, Lewandowski was clearly offside when Fermin crossed the ball (90+5).
Girona counterattacked, but failed to seal the deal before things got ugly again (90+7). Roca brought down Lamine Yamal and was rightly shown a straight red card (90+9).
In the end, Girona secured a narrow derby victory in a wild game. As a result, Barca lost their lead in the table, as did Real Madrid after their victory against Real Sociedad. Girona will continue their campaign on Monday (9 p.m.) at Deportivo Alaves. Barca will host UD Levante on Sunday (4:15 p.m.).
