Barcelona entertained Girona at the Nou Camp yesterday hoping to consolidate their position at the top of the La Liga table. The Catalans established their dominance early on and got off to a great start when Lionel Messi scored in the 19th minute. However, the home team suffered a huge setback when Clement Lenglet was sent off in the 35th minute. Girona managed to equalise just before half-time through Cristhian Stuani’s goal to go in level at the break.
The away side set-up well to play on the counter and got a shock lead in the 52nd-minute courtesy of another goal from Stuani. However, Gerard Pique managed to equalise just 11 minutes later with a powerful header. Both teams fought hard but couldn’t add to the goal tally as the contest finished 2-2 under the lights at the Nou Camp.
Let’s take a look at how each Barcelona player performed during the contest against Girona.
GK: Marc-André ter Stegen – 6/10
The Catalans goalie made some good saves but conceded two goals during the contest.
RB: Nelson Cabral Semedo – 6.5/10
He was defensively solid and provided a great outlet down the right flank. Semedo often linked up with Suarez in the second half but couldn’t create enough chances for his teammates to find the winner.
CB: Gerard Piqué – 5/10
He was at fault for both Girona goals but made amends by scoring an important equaliser for Barca with his powerful header in the second half.
CB: Clement Lenglet – 3/10
The Barca centre-back was sent off for a reckless elbow in the first half which ultimately cost his team two points on the night.
LB: Jordi Alba – 6.5/10
The Barca speedster made some excellent runs down the left wing but couldn’t find a telling cross during the match.
CM: Arturo Vidal – 7/10
The Chilean midfielder played his part in the lead-up to Barca’s first goal when he evaded two challenges to set up Messi with an excellent pass as the Argentine made no mistake with his finish. However, his impact on the game faded and he was subbed in the second half.
CM: Sergio Busquets – 6/10
He had to temporarily operate as a makeshift centre-back after Lenglet’s dismissal in the first half. The Spaniard tried his best to earn a penalty for his team during the dying embers of the encounter.
CM: Arthur Melo – 6/10
The Brazilian talent got cautioned early on and was unable to make an impact going forward.
RW: Lionel Messi – 8/10
The Argentine superstar scored the opening goal of the contest with a brilliant side-footed finish. He tried his best to find a winner in the second half, but it was too much of an ask, even for him.
ST: Luis Suárez – 7.5/10
The Uruguayan international was a menace for the Girona defence and got plenty of chances to score. However, he couldn’t manage to register a goal despite working hard for his team.
LW: Ousmane Dembélé – 5.5/10
The Frenchman tried his best to make an impact in the first half but was subbed at half-time due to Lenglet’s red card.
Substitutes:
CB: Samuel Umtiti – 6/10
He came off the bench at half-time to provide some much-needed solidity to the Barca defence.
CM: Phillipe Coutinho – 7/10
The Brazilian was a live wire in the second half and was unlucky not to score on the night.
CM: Ivan Rakitic – 6/10
The Croatian midfielder retained possession quite well for his team at the centre of the park.
