Lamine Yamal marked his return with an assist as substitute Ronald Araujo rescued a late win for Barcelona against Girona, sparing a wasteful Marcus Rashford's blushes in the process. In a frantic end to the game, that Barca won at the death 2-1, head coach Hansi Flick was sent off – a costly red card that means he'll be forced to watch next week's Clasico from the stands.
Injury-hit Barca were looking to end a two-game losing run and all without Joan Garcia, Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo and Raphinha, with Flick forced to name a weakened team as a result. Yamal, who was back in action after injury, did make the starting XI, though, and provided his fourth assist of the season for Pedri early in the first half as the hosts made their dominance count.
Girona were level in the 20th minute through an acrobatic Axel Witsel effort and could have doubled their advantage had Wojciech Szczesny not made smart stops to deny Vladyslav Vanat and Portu in quick succession. Rashford then smashed a free-kick off the crossbar on the half-hour mark as the Blaugrana aimed to make home advantage count.
Barcelona continued to huff and puff after the break, with Fermin Lopez, who was introduced at half-time, looking lively having struck the woodwork shortly after the restart. Pau Cubarsi then saw a second-half goal ruled out, while Rashford fluffed his lines from close range as Girona came close to securing an unlikely point.
However, the resolve was broken in second-half injury time as Araujo bagged a late winner and Barcelona's superiority paid off at the death.
GOAL rates Barcelona's players from the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys…
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Wojciech Szczesny (6/10):
Could do little to prevent Axel Witsel's sublime equaliser. Made two smart stops to deny Vladyslav Vanat and Portu in quick succession shortly after Witsel's goal. Was rarely tested in the second half.
Jules Kounde (6/10):
After a solid first half, the Frenchman was caught ball watching and had to recover quickly to block a Bryan Gil effort behind for a Girona corner minutes after half time. Did well to win possession high up the pitch that almost resulted in a Lamine Yamal goal.
Eric Garcia (5/10):
Needed Szczesny to bail him out having played Portu onside but did just enough to put the Girona forward off his stride. Even so, he struggled with the high defensive line before being moved into midfield.
Pau Cubarsi (6/10):
Should have done better to prevent Witsel's first half strike having lost the Belgian. Did get forward with a driving run to force Girona back that almost resulted in a goal. Saw a second half goal ruled out for a foul.
Alejandro Balde (7/10):
Kept Bryan Gil quiet in the opening 45 minutes. Pushed forward effectively and was a tad unfortunate not to register an assist. Came off for Gerard Martin for the final knockings.
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Pedri (8/10):
Bagged his second league goal of the season early on, with his low drive leaving Paulo Gazzaniga rooted to the spot after some nice footwork in the Girona box. Withdrawn midway through the second half.
Frenkie de Jong (7/10):
Drove the home side forward well from the middle of the park and forced Gazzaniga into a first half good save. Pushed forward down the right brilliantly to provide a late assist for Ronald Araujo
Marc Casado (6/10):
A solid if unspectacular showing. He kept Barcelona ticking over in the midfield without needing to break into a sweat.
AFPAttack
Lamine Yamal (8/10):
Took just 13 minutes to impact the game upon his return to the starting XI, providing an early assist for Pedri. Forced Gazzaniga into action 10 minutes after the interval before he was taken off on the hour mark. A bright return to action for the 18-year-old.
Toni Fernandez (3/10):
A subdued first half, bar a nice touch for De Jong to test Gazzaniga. Was withdrawn at the break for Fermin Lopez.
Marcus Rashford (6/10):
Struck the crossbar with a fine free kick on the half-hour mark. Pushed through the middle for the second half but didn't look quite as comfortable as he does out on the left. Fluffed his lines after being picked out brilliantly by Roony Bardghji but almost made amends moments later as he was denied by Gazzaniga at the near post. Even so, the on-loan forward looked lively and was unfortunate not to score.
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Fermin Lopez (7/10):
Replaced Toni Fernandez for the second half. Came close to putting Barca ahead shortly after the restart as he struck Gazzaniga's near post with a low drive.
Andreas Christensen (6/10):
Solid in possession but did little of note after his introduction.
Roony Bardghji (6/10):
Almost made an immediate impact as he found Marcus Rashford with a fine trivela cross.
Gerard Martin (6/10):
Wasn't significantly involved in the game after coming on.
Ronald Araujo (8/10):
Replaced Marc Casado for the final 10. Barcelona's saviour in second half injury time to secure all the spoils.
Hansi Flick (7/10):
Was forced to name a weakened XI due to injuries but watched his side dominate regardless. Second half subs made a difference as Ronald Araujo rescued victory. Sent off in second half injury time meaning he'll be forced to watch El Clasico from the stands.
