Robert Lewandowski Marcos Alonso Eric Garcia Xavi Hernandez Ousmane Dembele Paulo Gazzaniga Rodrigo Riquelme France Poland Barcelona sprint win Robert Lewandowski Marcos Alonso Eric Garcia Xavi Hernandez Ousmane Dembele Paulo Gazzaniga Rodrigo Riquelme France Poland

Pedri earns subdued Barca nervy derby win at Girona

channelnewsasia.com

GIRONA: Barcelona midfielder Pedri Gonzalez earned his side a tense 1-0 Catalan derby victory at Girona on Saturday (Jan 28), opening a six-point gap ahead of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.With Carlo Ancelotti's side hosting high-flying Real Sociedad on Sunday, Barca put their rivals under pressure to get a result and keep up with them in the title race.Pedri netted the only goal from close range after an hour at an icy Montilivi on his 100th appearance for Barcelona, after replacing the injured Ousmane Dembele.The French forward limped off in the first half, pulling up after a sprint and asking to be replaced, a blow for Barcelona considering his superb recent form.Barca coach Xavi Hernandez rotated in defence, handing Eric Garcia a rare start, along with Marcos Alonso, who extended his contract until 2024 on Friday.The league leaders were still without suspended Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, missing his final game after a three-match ban.Girona created the first chance after just three minutes, Rodrigo Riquelme's smooth through ball feeding Yan Couto, whose shot was blocked.Dembele also had an effort deflected away at the other end after Ansu Fati won the ball from goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.The French winger, who fired Barcelona into the Copa del Rey semi-finals against Real Sociedad midweek, was forced off injured after 25 minutes with Pedri replacing him.Dembele's first years at Barcelona were hampered by injuries but since Xavi's arrival in November 2021, the forward had been able to stay fit and firing.Fati lashed over after pressing high to win the ball back as Barcelona failed to find their rhythm in attack.Pedri sent a low shot straight at Gazzaniga before the break, with Girona's defence untroubled.Xa

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Pedri's strike earned Barcelona a battling 1-0 win over Villarreal on Sunday to move 11 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. The champions, who won the Club World Cup on Saturday, face Elche in midweek to try and bite back into the growing gap. Earlier Memphis Depay scored his first Atletico Madrid goal as Diego Simeone's side beat Celta Vigo 1-0 to consolidate their position in fourth. Barcelona rode their luck in a gripping clash at Estadio de la Ceramica but held off a Yellow Submarine onslaught to continue marching towards their goal of winning the title for the first time since 2019.
Barcelona took advantage of Real Madrid’s absence this weekend to move 11 points clear atop LaLiga as Pedri’s first-half strike secured a 1-0 win at Villarreal.

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