Barcelona missed the chance to go 15 points clear at the top of La Liga and had to settle for a frustrating draw at home with Girona, as they head into the final ten matches of this season.
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The results left The Blaugrana disappointed but Xavi’s side increased their advantage over Real Madrid to 13 points after their title rivals were beaten by Villarreal on Sunday.
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Xavi made two changes from his side’s humiliating Copa del Rey exit to Real Madrid as Ansu Fati and Eric García returned to the line-up.
It is only the third time this season that Barcelona have dropped points at home.
It was a night-packed action as The Blaugrana found themselves besieged in the opening minutes as Viktor Tsyhankov flashed a volley just past Marc-André ter Stegen’s left-hand post.
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It was a nice response from Robert Lewandowski who had a golden chance to open the scoring after four minutes but put his effort onto the roof of the net.
Girona keeper Paulo Gazzaniga, on loan from Fulham, made several good saves, including one to deny Raphinha at his near post as Taty Castellanos also shot wide when through on goal for the visitors.
But Robert Lewandowski helped redress the balance by producing a close-range effort which whistled narrowly over the visitors’ crossbar. However, another chance came Lewandowski’s way just moments later from Jules Koundé’s cross to the far post but he spurned the header.
Girona almost fell behind through an own goal as Paulo Gazzaniga had to produce a goal-line clearance after Santiago Bueno’s misjudged back pass. However, the Argentine was forced to deal with two chances in quick succession, first to save an effort by Raphinha before tipping Ronald Araújo’s shot off his line.
Barça similarly began the second half as García met a Raphinha free kick with a header which sailed off-target.
Deep into second-half stoppage time, Gazzaniga had to produce a fingertip stop to deny Gavi’s header from snatching victory for Barça.
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The Blaugrana leaders still sit 13 points clear of second-placed Madrid heading into the final 10 matches of this season.
