Barcelona draw blank against Girona in cagey Catalan derby
Girona put in a solid display to hold fellow Catalan club and La Liga 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.
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.
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 La Liga.
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.
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