Good afternoon everybody and welcome along to another MARCA in English live blog, this time taking you through the Catalan derby between Girona and Barcelona in LaLiga EA Sports at Estadi Montilivi in Girona.
Barcelona have gotten off to a perfect start under new coach Hansi Flick, with four wins from the first four league matches. However, this is arguably their toughest task yet, away to the side that finished third in LaLiga last season, and who beat them 4-2 both home and away in the 2023/24 campaign.
Attempt missed. Pau VÃctor (Barcelona) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Iñigo MartÃnez.
Attempt saved. Cristhian Stuani (Girona) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jhon SolÃs with a cross.
GOAL - GIRONA!
The hosts have a consolation goal at last, through Cristhian Stuani.
Attempt missed. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Héctor Fort.
Attempt blocked. Pau VÃctor (Barcelona) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Raphinha.
Attempt missed. Héctor Fort (Barcelona) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
GOAL - BARCELONA!
It's 0-4 to Barcelona. After conceding four at Montilivi last season, the Blaugrana have their revenge.
Casado threads a perfect through ball for Pedri who then rounds Gazzaniga and slots the ball home.
Substitution, Barcelona. Eric GarcÃa replaces Dani Olmo because of an injury.
Attempt missed. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Lamine Yamal following a fast break.
Lewandowski misses two chances
Lewandowski should've scored by now. First, a chance created by Olmo leaves him one-on-one with the goalkeeper but his attempted dink doesn't catch Gazzaniga out. Then, Yamal lays the ball off for the Polish striker on the edge of the box but his effort goes a touch high and wide.
Attempt saved. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Jules Koundé.
Attempt saved. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Raphinha.
GOAL - BARCELONA!
What. a. goal.
Dani Olmo continues his excellent start to life as a first team Barcelona player with another brilliant goal. Kounde plays a great ball over the top and without taking a first touch, Olmo rifles it into the roof of the net.
VAR Decision: No penalty Girona
The penalty is overturned after the referee was shown that the touch before Martinez's handball came from his own player, Balde, which according to the new rules means that it's not a penalty.
Penalty conceded by Iñigo MartÃnez (Barcelona) with a hand ball in the penalty area.
Attempt missed. Raphinha (Barcelona) left footed shot from more than 35 yards following a fast break.
GOAL - BARCELONA!
A corner is partially cleared to the edge of the area but unluckily for Girona it lands at the feet of Lamine Yamal who, with incredible composure, places a fine strike into the bottom corner with Gazzaniga rooted to the spot.
Attempt saved. Bryan Gil (Girona) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jhon SolÃs.
GOAL - BARCELONA!
Who else? Lamine Yamal scores for Barcelona with a fine left-footed shot from just inside the area.
Balde goes close
Alejandro Balde attempts something between a cross and a shot which trickles just past the post.
Attempt missed. Jules Koundé (Barcelona) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Dani Olmo.
Attempt missed. Alejandro Balde (Barcelona) left footed shot from the left side of the box.
Attempt saved. Miguel Gutiérrez (Girona) left footed shot from outside the box is saved.
Attempt saved. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Raphinha with a cross.
Attempt blocked. Iñigo MartÃnez (Barcelona) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Yamal's effort saved
The ball falls to Lamine Yamal in the penalty area and the youngster has a swing with his left foot. It's on target, but the goalkeeper gathers it in two attempts.
Barcelona's starting XI
It's a very attacking line-up for Barcelona despite playing at one of LaLiga's trickiest grounds. Young Casado starts in midfield, with Dani Olmo also playing more advanced.
Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
Girona's starting XI
Girona XI: Gazzaniga; Frances, David Lopez, Blind, Miguel; Solis, Ivan Martin; Tsygankov, Abel Ruiz, Bryan Gil, Danjuma.
A fine day in Girona
It's a fine sunny day in the beautiful city of Girona this Sunday afternoon ahead of the Catalan derby, and the pitch at Montilivi doesn't look at all bad either.
Barcelona in black
Barcelona will be wearing their black away strip this afternoon at Estadi Montilivi. They didn't have much luck last time out against Girona in their yellow and red away strip, as they lost 4-2 in a disappointing result at the back end of last season.
Barcelona's resurgence under Flick
Hansi Flick has had an instant positive impact on Barcelona, quietly going about his business to lift the Catalan's after a tough last campaign to now looking like serious title contenders, with four wins from their opening four matches.
The coach's impact is noticeable. Flick has introduced a series of changes that have made Barcelona look nothing like they did last season. He has restored the confidence of some key players, has improved the physical tone of the team, has not entered into controversy with the press.
He has also managed to get the best out of Robert Lewandowski and instilled confidence in Raphinha, who both look like different players this season. On top of that, the whole squad looks physically fitter and the youngsters from La Masia are getting chances.
Can this fine form continue against Girona on Sunday?
When is Girona vs Barcelona LIVE?
Kick-off in Girona vs Barcelona is 16:15 CEST. That means fans in the UK and Ireland can tune in to watch at 15:15.
Fans in the USA, meanwhile, will find Girona vs Barcelona starting at 10:15 ET / 07:15 PT.
Where to watch Girona vs Barcelona?
In the UK and Ireland, Girona vs Barcelona can be seen on Premier Sports 1 and can be streamed on LaLigaTV and Premier Sports Player.
In the USA, you can watch Girona vs Barcelona on ESPN Deportes.
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