Having faced a humbling 4-0 defeat
against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final, Barcelona will hope to
bounce back to winning ways.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, suffered a 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Villarreal, who completed a rare league double over the 35-time La Liga champions. That loss gives Barcelona a chance to go 15 points clear at the top of the table.Girona, meanwhile, secured promotion through playoffs in the second division, and sit comfortably in 11th position, seven points clear of the relegation zone. They come into this game on the back of a nervy 2-1 win against Espanyol.
Barca came closest to scoring but Ronald Araujo’s shot in the first half did not completely cross the goalline before Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga clawed it clear in what was a largely uninspiring performance from the home side.
Barca moved to 72 points from 28 games, 13 ahead of second-placed Real Madrid with 10 rounds remaining, while Girona are eight points clear of the relegation zone in 11th place.
Barcelona coach Xavi was hoping for a reaction from his side following their 4-0 loss to Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final last week, but they struggled to break down a resolute Girona defence that had only kept one other LaLiga clean sheet all season.
Gazzaniga also had to clear the ball off his goalline after team mate Santiago Bueno played a stray back pass that would have nestled in the bottom corner, while Barca winger Raphinha fired wide when well placed at the back post.
Home defender Eric Garcia headed over from a free kick when he should have scored, but the best chance of the second half fell to the visitors.
