Barca restore Liga lead in Girona romp

AFP | Barcelona

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Robert Lewandowski bagged a brace as Barcelona eased to a 4-1 victory over Girona to move three points clear at the top of La Liga on Sunday.

After second-placed Real Madrid pulled level on points with them on Saturday after beating Leganes, Hansi Flick’s side restored their advantage at the Olympic Stadium.

Lewandowski responded to Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe’s double with one of his own to stay three goals ahead in the race for Spain’s golden boot.

Barcelona, unbeaten this year in 20 matches, took the lead through a Ladislav Krejci own goal near the end of the first half.

Arnaut Danjuma pulled Girona level but Lewandowski netted twice and Ferran Torres finished off the rout.

Girona beat Barcelona twice last season but have struggled to hit those heights again and sit 13th. Flick rotated some of his usual suspects with the Copa del Rey semi-final clash against Atletico Madrid in mind.

Barca were below their free-flowing best in the first half despite dominating, occasionally threatening through the dynamic running of teenage star Lamine Yamal and frantic energy of Fermin Lopez.

Paulo Gazzaniga saved well from Lopez on the counter-attack after Viktor Tsygankov blazed over Girona’s first decent opportunity. Gazzaniga saved well from Lewandowski and then Yamal, who also fired over.

Barcelona wanted a penalty when Fermin was brought down by Yaser Asprilla on the edge of the box and a free-kick was given.