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Barcelona secured a dominant 4-1 win against Girona at the Estadi Montilivi in LaLiga on Sunday, September 15. This result maintains Barca's perfect start with five wins from five games so far as they sit comfortably atop the table.
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Barcelona made a positive start to the contest and put tremendous pressure on Girona's defenders early in the game. Their wingers and midfielders pushed forward in numbers as they looked to exploit the open spaces. Lamine Yamal gave his team the lead after 30 minutes as he dispossessed David Lopez and fired a powerful shot into the goal to make it 1-0.
Just seven minutes later, Yamal was on target once again for Barcelona. This time around, striker Robert Lewandowski assisted him for a straightforward finish to make it 2-0 after 37 minutes. With nine shots in the first half, Barca did more than enough to be comfortable before the break. However, Girona were awarded a late penalty but it was cancelled upon VAR review as they trailed at the interval.
Barcelona made an electric start to the second period and added a third goal via Dani Olmo. Jules Kounde set up the Spaniard with a lovely pass as Olmo smashed the ball past a helpless Paulo Gazzaniga to make it 3-0 in the 47th minute. Both managers then made multiple changes as Girona looked to find a way back into the game while Barca looked to preserve their lead.
Things went from bad to worse for hosts Girona as Marc Casado set up Pedri for Barcelona's fourth goal in the 64th minute. However, they were able to bag a consolation goal in the 80th minute. Portu provided an assist for Cristhian Stuani to score to make it 4-1. The only events from that point were bookings, starting with Ferran Torres' reckless tackle that saw him receive a straight red.
Barca held on and secured a 4-1 win, having lost both games against Girona by a 4-2 margin last season. That being said, let's take a look at their player ratings.
Barcelona Player Ratings
Marc-Andre ter Stegen - 7/10
Ter Stegen made three saves throughout the game and narrowly missed out on a clean sheet after conceding late on.
Jules Kounde - 7.5/10
Kounde had a great game as he bagged an assist for Barcelona's third goal. He was also composed in defense, winning three duels and making two clearances.
Pau Cubarsi - 6.5/10
Cubarsi won his only duel and passed the ball with 93% accuracy in a decent display.
Inigo Martinez - 7/10
Martinez won both his duels and made four clearances and one block in a good defensive display.
Alejandro Balde - 7/10
Balde put in tremendous effort and had a good game in defense. He won 10 of his 13 duels, making two tackles in the process. He also completed two dribbles.
Marc Casado - 7.5/10
Casado passed the ball with 92% accuracy, including one key pass, which turned out to be an assist for Pedri. He also won three of his four duels.
Pedri - 7.5/10
Pedri passed the ball with 91% accuracy, including one key pass. He also won six duels and scored Barcelona's fourth goal with a lovely finish.
Lamine Yamal - 9.5/10
Yamal was unbdoubtedly the best player on the pitch by a country mile and was aptly awarded Player of the Match. He created Barcelona's first goal all by himself and scored another just minutes later. He also won an incredible 10 duels.
Dani Olmo - 7.5/10
Olmo scored his team's third goal and passed the ball with 80% accuracy, including one key pass. He also won four duels.
Raphinha - 7.5/10
Raphinha passed the ball with 72% accuracy, including five key passes and two accurate crosses. He also won six duels and attempted one shot that was off-target.
Robert Lewandowski - 7/10
Lewandowski had a rather quiet night in front of goal himself, failing to score despite two attempts on target. However, he made up for that by providing an assist for Yamal's second goal.
Substitutes
Eric Garcia - 6.5/10
Garcia replaced Olmo after he picked up a knock in the second period and had a decent cameo.
Hector Fort - 6.5/10
Fort replaced Cubarsi around the hour-mark but failed to make the desired impact for the team.
Pau Victor - 6.5/10
Victor replaced Pedri late in the game and was booked for a foul. Apart from that he attempted three shots with just one on target.
Ferran Torres - 5/10
Torres came on in the 69th minute and was given a straight red card for a reckless foul in the 86th minute.
Gerard Martin - N/A
He came on in the dying embers and did not play enough minutes to warrant a rating.
