Barcelona stunned by Girona 2-1 to leave Real Madrid top of LaLiga

GIRONA, Spain, Feb 16 : Barcelona were stunned by Girona who roared back to win 2-1 at home in a breathless Catalan derby on Monday, as last season's champions failed to return to the LaLiga summit, leaving Real Madrid top of the table.

Barcelona struck the woodwork twice in the first half, Raphinha hitting the post before Lamine Yamal fired a penalty against the same upright in added time after Dani Olmo was fouled inside the box.

Pau Cubarsi finally put the visitors ahead in the 59th minute, rising to head home Jules Kounde's cross from a short corner, but Girona levelled three minutes later when Thomas Lemar converted from close range after Vladyslav Vanat's cross caused confusion.

Fran Beltran sealed victory in the 87th minute, steering home from Joel Roca's pass as the Montilivi stadium erupted.

Barcelona pushed for an equaliser but could not break through, even after Roca was sent off in added time for a reckless foul on Lamine Yamal.

Barca remain on 58 points, two behind Real Madrid, and have lost successive games in all competitions for the first time since October.

"We lacked a bit of everything. We need to be self-critical. We need to improve things and get our act together," Cubarsi told DAZN.

"After my goal, they scored very quickly to equalise. We got them back into the game too quickly. We need to improve on those goals they score right after we take the lead. Keep your head down and improve."

BARCA DOMINATE POSSESSION

Hansi Flick welcomed back Frenkie De Jong and Raphinha from injury after their absence in last week's 4-0 Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg loss to Atletico Madrid, and Barca duly dominated possession early in the game.

Yet their finishing deserted them. Raphinha dragged wide after surging in from the