The Blaugrana’s defensive woes were on full display once again as they suffered a disheartening defeat to their Catalan counterparts for the second time this season. Barcelona’s backline struggled to contain the relentless attacks from Girona, ultimately crumbling under the pressure and conceding four goals.
Barcelona’s fate was sealed as they succumbed to a defeat that had seemed inevitable for weeks, falling 4-2 to a high-octane Girona side. This loss officially handed the La Liga title to their arch-rivals, Real Madrid, and cast a shadow of uncertainty over Barcelona’s quest for a third-place finish in the league standings.
The match got off to a lively start as Andreas Christensen broke the deadlock within five minutes, unleashing a sublime volley from outside the box to give Barcelona an early 1-0 lead. However, Girona wasted no time in responding, with La Liga’s top scorer, Artem Dovbyk, nodding home from close range to restore parity.
Both teams had their opportunities to score before halftime, with Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga denying Christensen and Ilkay Gundogan’s efforts. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s defense found themselves under constant pressure from Girona’s swift counter-attacks, highlighting their vulnerability at the back. Nonetheless, Barcelona managed to regain the lead just before the halftime whistle, courtesy of Robert Lewandowski’s clinical penalty conversion.
However, Girona staged a remarkable comeback in the second half, clawing their way back into the game. Cristian Portu ignited the resurgence with a well-taken finish at the near post, capitalizing on a defensive blunder from Sergi Roberto. Miguel Gutierrez then compounded Barcelona’s misery with a deflected strike that wrong-footed Marc-Andre ter Stegen, giving the hosts the lead. Portu sealed Barcelona’s fate with a emphatic fourth goal, putting the finishing touches on a dismal afternoon for Xavi’s side in Catalonia.
The outcome of the match served as a stark reminder of a reality that Barcelona had been avoiding for weeks. With the loss to Girona, Barcelona officially relinquished their grasp on the La Liga title, handing it over to their fiercest rivals.
Player Rating
Goalkeeper & Defence
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (4/10):
Ter Stegen’s performance was marred by the inability to prevent Girona from finding the back of the net on multiple occasions. While he was largely blameless for the first three goals, his luck took a turn for the worse with the fourth, where he seemed hesitant to make a dive. Despite his efforts, the outcome proved to be beyond his control.
Jules Kounde (6/10):
Kounde managed to contain the threat posed by Savio for much of the game, demonstrating his defensive prowess. However, his contributions in the attacking third left something to be desired, with certain aspects of his play proving to be frustrating and lacking in precision.
Ronald Araujo (4/10):
Araujo’s performance fell short of expectations, particularly evident in his involvement in Girona’s first equalizing goal, where he appeared outmaneuvered and vulnerable. Throughout the game, he struggled to cope with the physicality of Dobvyk, which compounded his difficulties. Araujo’s form has noticeably declined in recent weeks, raising concerns about his consistency.
Pau Cubarsi (5/10):
Cubarsi found himself out of position on two occasions that led to Girona’s goals, indicating a lapse in concentration. Additionally, he appeared fatigued, a trend that has become increasingly apparent in recent matches. Cubarsi’s performance mirrored the team’s overall dip in form, highlighting the need for rejuvenation and revitalization.
Joao Cancelo (5/10):
Cancelo once again showcased his attacking prowess, contributing with creative ideas and incisive runs forward. However, his defensive vulnerabilities were exposed yet again, as he struggled to contain Girona’s attacking threats. With each passing week, Cancelo’s defensive shortcomings become more pronounced, underscoring the need for improvement in that aspect of his game.
Midfield
Andreas Christensen (6/10):
Christensen made a significant impact with his early goal, showcasing his attacking instincts and technical ability with a memorable volley. Despite being denied a second goal by an impressive goal-line clearance, he demonstrated versatility in his positional play, although there were moments of inconsistency. Nonetheless, his performance hinted at his potential as a viable option in the midfield, particularly in the No.6 role.
Sergi Roberto (5/10):
Roberto’s performance was marred by costly errors, most notably his involvement in Girona’s second goal, where his mistake proved decisive. Additionally, he struggled to make a meaningful impact in the attacking phase, failing to provide the necessary creativity and penetration from midfield.
Ilkay Gundogan (7/10):
Gundogan emerged as a bright spot in Barcelona’s midfield, displaying real attacking intent and dynamism throughout the game. Unfortunate not to score with a powerful header, he offered a constant threat with his runs behind the opposition defense, providing a much-needed injection of energy and drive. Gundogan’s performance stood out as a rare highlight in an otherwise disappointing season for Barcelona.
Fermin Lopez (6/10):
Lopez showcased his trademark energy and composure on the ball, maintaining a clean passing accuracy. However, he struggled to assert himself sufficiently in his slightly unfamiliar left-sided role, with limited involvement in key moments of the game. Nonetheless, his tireless work rate and technical proficiency were evident, contributing to Barcelona’s midfield stability.
Attack
Lamine Yamal (8/10):
Assisted Christensen, served as a constant source of chance creation. Won the penalty for Barca’s second. Magic all afternoon.
Robert Lewandowski (8/10):
Scored yet again, tucking his penalty home. Now has four in his last two games. Barca could have done with this earlier in the season, in truth.
Pedri was introduced into the game but failed to make a significant impact, receiving a rating of 6/10. Unfortunately, he never quite found his rhythm on the pitch and his contribution was limited due to his late introduction into the game.
Similarly, Raphinha was given a rating of 5/10, having barely had any involvement in the match during his 20 minutes on the field. Despite his best efforts, he struggled to make an impression and was unable to influence the course of the game significantly.
Ferran Torres was brought on late in the game but was unable to make an impact due to the limited time available to him on the pitch. As a result, he received an N/A rating for his brief appearance.Oriol Romeu found himself once again on the bench, with no opportunity to contribute to the game from the start.
Similarly, Joao Felix was unable to make an impact due to his limited time on the pitch, resulting in an N/A rating for both players.
Xavi’s tactical decisions came under scrutiny as he opted for what seemed to be a full-strength lineup in the hopes of delaying Real Madrid’s inevitable La Liga title win. However, despite moments of promise in attack, Barcelona’s defensive frailties were once again exposed, contributing to their downfall. With the league title now officially out of reach, Barcelona’s disappointing season comes to a close, marking the end of a miserable campaign for the Catalan giants.