Barcelona held by stubborn Girona but move 13 points clear at top of LaLiga

Danny Lewis

Robert Lewandowski failed to break down Girona's resilient defenceAFP

Girona put in a solid display to hold fellow Catalan club and LaLiga leaders Barcelona to a 0-0 draw, the second consecutive time the Blanquivermells have taken a point in competitive matches at Camp Nou.

Barça were almost gifted the perfect start to recover from their heavy defeat against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey by a Girona side showing early nerves. However, Robert Lewandowski fired off target following a lapse from Borja García and Paulo Gazzaniga scampered towards his line to poke Santiago Bueno’s wayward backpass around the post.

The visitors also asked questions at the other end, but Javi Hernández’s header hit David López and harmlessly trickled through to Marc-André ter Stegen.

After a large period without any real opportunities, Raphinha drifted behind the visitors’ defence to reach Alejandro Balde’s ball behind but was denied by Gazzaniga, before Ronald Araújo’s flick from the ensuing corner was kept out by the finest of margins.

Barcelona's shot chart against GironaStats by Opta Perform

While Girona have become renowned for free-flowing football and goals this term - with their last three away games producing 14 - the visitors showed defensive discipline to keep the match goalless heading into the break as Ansu Fati fired a wild effort from range off target.

The Blaugrana had chances of their own making early in the second period that fell to the wrong people, as Eric García and Jules Koundé were both unable to work Gazzaniga.

The hosts’ defence has been notoriously tight this term but was carved wide open by Arnau Martínez’s through ball for Taty Catellanos, although with Viktor Tsygankov alongside him, the forward took the selfish option and completely missed the target to Míchel’s disbelief. Jordi Alba brought a spark off the bench for Barça but López made two big interventions to cut out any danger.

While Gavi and Lewandowski were both denied a dramatic winner in the final moments, Xavi Hernández’s side maintained their unbeaten home league record to take themselves 13 points ahead of Real Madrid atop LaLiga.

Meanwhile, Girona went a third game unbeaten after securing just their second clean sheet this campaign, extending their gap from the relegation zone to eight points.

Flashscore Man of the Match: David López (Girona)