'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Score: FC Barcelona 6-1 Girona
Goalscorers: Portu 3' (Girona); Luis Suarez 5', 44', 76' (Barcelona), Lionel Messi 30', 36' (Barcelona), Philippe Coutinho 66' (Barcelona)
Everything that could have gone right went right for FC Barcelona against Girona as the league leaders registered a crushing 6-1 win over the newcomers. It was the first Catalan derby between these two sides at Camp Nou, and Girona had the best possible start when Portu gave the visitors a lead after just 130 odd seconds into the game.
But Barcelona soon got on the act and emphatically replied with four goals in the first half. Eventually, Luis Suarez netted a hattrick, Lionel Messi scored a brace and Philippe Coutinho scored his trademark long-range goal. With this victory, Barcelona are now 10 points clear at the summit of La Liga.
So, without further ado, let's delve right into the match details and discuss the key talking points that emerged from Barcelona's 6-1 thumping of their rivals:
#5 FC Barcelona create history
Going into this game, FC Barcelona had not lost in their previous 31 encounters. With a win over Girona, the Catalans have now achieved their best unbeaten run of all time. These 32 league matches include just 5 draws and a staggering total of 27 victories.
This Barcelona side beat the record set by Pep Guardiola's Barcelona side of 2011 which went 31 matches unbeaten in La Liga. The 2011 side is rightfully considered as arguably the best ever Barcelona side and to match that feat is a humongous achievement by Ernesto Valverde and his men.
Lionel Messi also created a bit of history in this game as his assist to Luis Suarez for Barcelona's opening goal saw him become La Liga's highest ever assist provider. He has 148 league assists to his name so far.
#4 Injury scare for Gerard Pique
At the beginning of this month, in the 1-1 draw against Espanyol, Gerard Pique had trouble with his knee after clattering into Gerrard Moreno. He was rested for the next game against Getafe but played the next three games against the likes of Valencia, Eibar and Chelsea.
With the return leg and a clash against Atletico Madrid looming over, it was expected that Pique would be given a rest in this game with Thomas Vermaelen now fit and Yerry Mina waiting in the wings. But Valverde decided to start Pique, a decision which backfired in the 64th minute.
Playing with a heavily strapped knee, Pique went down at the start of the second half but stood up soon and continued. Eventually, the centre-back had to give in and was taken off soon after. Whether Pique was substituted as a precaution for the next few matches or because of a serious injury, remains to be seen.
#3 Overzealous attitude costs Girona
After an 87-year long wait, Girona finally got the opportunity to play against FC Barcelona at Camp Nou. This is their first season in the top division with Girona being a breath of fresh air to La Liga this campaign. Playing attractive football, the Catalan side has been impressive with their forward play.
Girona achieved the best possible start when Portu scored the opening goal courtesy of a mistake from Samuel Umtiti. But despite taking the lead, Girona continued to play with the same attacking mindset and were taken to the sword by their opponents.
In just over 40 minutes, Barcelona scored four and Girona were out of the contention. After taking the lead, the White and Reds should have employed a more sensible approach and tried to have played on the counter.
This has been the technique opted by many against Barcelona at Camp Nou which may have given Girona a slight chance in this match, but alas.
#2 Coutinho and Dembele get going
Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele. The two superstars signed by FC Barcelona to make amends for the loss of Neymar. Both have huge expectations on their shoulders to succeed at the club but sadly, both of them have had tough starts. Dembele battled with injuries at the start whereas Coutinho has yet to settle in and get regular playing time for the club.
Against Girona, Coutinho and Dembele started together for the first time and were impressive in the second half. This match gave us a first glimpse of the attacking threat of the trio of Messi, Suarez and Coutinho. The three players combined beautifully for Barcelona's fourth goal of the night.
Dembele grew in stature in the second half and got more involved as the game went on. He provided an assist for Luis Suarez to complete his hattrick and narrowly missed from scoring himself. Coutinho, meanwhile, scored his second Barcelona goal and gave Camp Nou a first look at his trademark curling effort from long range.
#1 Magical Messi
Such is the greatness of this man that despite his teammate scoring a hattrick, it is still him who registered the best performance of the night. It was a sort of display from Messi against Girona that just makes you look at him in awe and just smile. Even wine does not improve as well with age as compared to Messi.
The Argentinian produced two assists and two goals on the night and in reality, could have scored a lot more. His first saw him wiggle past four Girona defenders and then glide the ball into the bottom corner.
His second was an under-the-wall free-kick which is always a delight to watch. Messi could have had his hat-trick but his stunning lob over the Girona goalkeeper was cleared off the line by Bernardo.
On the night when Cristiano Ronaldo also scored a brace, Lionel Messi needed to put out a reminder yet again to show who's the best. It can be termed as the perfect performance from the little magician and at the risk of getting carried away by Messi's magnificent display, this can be termed as the performance of the season from the 30-year-old.
Another stunning feat.
