'%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)
Barcelona ran out 3-0 victors in the first ever Catalan Derby in La Liga against Girona, ensuring they left the Estadi Montilivi with all three points to remain top of the league and keep their lead over Real Madrid to 7 points.
Aday's own goal that was a result of Jordi Alba's strike in the 18th minute began things off, before another own goal from Iraizoz minutes into the second half ensured Barcelona had the advantage. Luis Suarez scored in the 69th minute to round out the scoring and make things safe for Barcelona as they saw out the rest of the game with relative ease.
Here are the major talking points from the game:
#1 Valverde's Barcelona keep marching on
Ernesto Valverde is a singularly calm man. When the summer hysteria surrounding Neymar and Barcelona's subsequent failures in the transfer market coupled with the loss to Real Madrid in the Super Cup exploded into a frenzy, the Barcelona boss kept his counsel and did what he did best. Train.
Barcelona have trained, trained and trained to the point where they're perfectly executing Valverde's vision in his trademark 4-2-3-1 shape. Nelson Semedo was offered a rest, and so intent was Valverde on his shape that Sergi Roberto operated at right back with Aleix Vidal having an impressive outing in the wings ahead of him.
The system allows Barcelona to remain secure defensively even when they're not dominating games to the extent they normally do, as was the case tonight. There's no panic within the Barca squad, each player is cognizant of his role, which was not the case in Luis Enrique's last season. The clarity in play will only lead to trophies - La Liga is Barcelona's to lose, despite the early season predictions.
#2 Manchester City's loanees were Girona's bright spots
Pep Guardiola's shadow loomed large over this game - Pablo Machin sat in the opposite dugout, having famously overseen Numancia's 1-0 win over Barcelona in Guardiola's first game in charge of the Catalans. With Pere Guardiola part of the ownership structure of Girona, it was hardly a surprise to see Manchester City's loanees start the game.
However, it wasn't just undue influence that ensured Pablo Maffeo, Aleix Garcia and Douglas Luiz started the game - the trio were magnificent and perhaps the most impressive of Girona's players. Maffeo's shadowing of Messi was quite brilliant, while Aleix Garcia kept things fluid for Girona as they managed to compete with Barca in the first hour.
Douglas Luiz was the most impressive Girona player tonight, and his confidence with the ball shone through - it won't be long before he'll be a part of Guardiola's Manchester City. There was even time for Marlos Moreno and Larry Kayode to put in impressive cameos.
#3 Pablo Machin did his homework, but luck ruined his plans
The Girona boss has been so impressive in how he's overseen the Catalan club's promotion and his initial performances in La Liga have simply underlined how clever he is. Girona were completely briefed as to how Barcelona play - the blanket marking of each option when Ter Stegen had the ball forced the visiting keeper into a couple of ambitious passes that didn't come off.
It was clear that the hosts had worked on their offside trap all week, with both Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi unable to break through for much of the game. 14 offsides in total were conceded by Barca, and it is unlikely that any side will play it to as much perfection as Girona managed. Suarez did beat it for his goal, but even that was a questionable decision.
Machin would undoubtedly rue Jordi Alba's shot trickling in for the own goal of Aday, as that calmed Barcelona down and a potentially tough night based around not conceding then became a stroll in the park. Girona don't have many points on the table, but keep this up and they will avoid relegation this season.
#4 Messi's quiet night
It's not often one gets to write about Lionel Messi having a quiet night, but that is precisely what happened tonight, with much of the credit going to Pablo Maffeo, who shadowed the brilliant Argentinian with a fervour that was downright primal. So much so, that Messi did not have a single statistical 'action' in the final third in the first half.
By the time the game had ended, Messi ended the game without contributing to a goal or assist for the first time this season, but yet managed to delight the crowd at the Estadi Montilivi with a couple of delightful passes and touches. If that's not the mark of a legend, what is?
Still, it must be a relief for Barcelona fans that their side can win without him, as allegations of 'Messidependencia' were sure to resurface given the Argentine's stellar start to the season. Sporting await in the UEFA Champions League, and Messi will surely be back to his best by then.
#5 Have Luis Suarez' struggles come to an end?
It was meant to be a proud occasion. Luis Suarez racked up his 100th appearance for Barcelona tonight, but going by the reception to his performance at half-time, it seemed as if the 86 goals he's scored for the Catalans previously had all been forgotten.
What fans may think is one thing, but it seemed Suarez had forgotten how he scored those 86 goals as well - a near-post finish that he would normally hit the target with was skied well over in the first half, and later, after doing incredibly well to round the keeper, Suarez failed to shoot and then proceeded to make a mess of his cutback.
However, the striking instincts still remained, even if they were a bit blunt. Suarez' dummy to cause Iraizoz to put through his own net showed that he's still a fantastically clever player. Suarez needs a fire to fuel his hunger and perhaps the fact that he was being outscored by 'Own Goals' for Barca served to ensure that he put away his chance to make it 3-0 with aplomb.
Barcelona need a Suarez on song, and perhaps he's slowly making his way back.
