FC Barcelona moved six points clear at the top of LaLiga with a 1-0 win over Girona on Saturday evening.
LaLiga
Result: Girona 0-1 FC Barcelona
Date: 28 January 2023
Venue: Estadi Montilivi
Xavi Hernandez made four changes from the Copa del Rey win this week, as Ansu Fati, Raphinha, Eric Garcia and Marcos Alonso were recalled while Robert Lewandowski was serving the final game of his suspension.
Fati nearly gifted Barcelona the lead on 15 minutes when he disspossed Paulo Gazzaniga in the box, but goalkeeper recovered and denied the attacker from close-range.
The were forced into a change on 26 minutes when Ousmane Dembele signalled to the bench he was unable to continue, with Pedri brought on as his replacement.
Xavi's charges enjoyed most of the possession in the first half but were unable to carve out any clear-cut openings for the remainder of the first half.
The Blaugrana coach opted for a change at the start of the second half, with Alonso making way for Jordi Alba at left-back.
The decision paid off for the hosts as when Alba's inviting cross was parried into the path of Pedri by Gazzaniga, allowing the midfielder to poke into an empty net on his 100th appearance for the club.
Girona thought they had equalised in the 65th minute when Arnau Martinez blasted past past Marc-Andre ter Stegen, but the celebrations were cut short due to the offside flag.
The hosts had a chance get back on level terms with four minutes to go, as Ivan Martin was left completely unmarked in the box but the midfielder failed to convert from six yards out.
Xavi's troops managed to see out the remaining stages of the second half to claim the victory and move six points clear of second-place Real Madrid, who are in action on Sunday.
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