Barca gift Girona second place and Madrid the title
Barcelona gifted Girona second place in the table and rivals Real Madrid the title with an error-strewn performance at Montilivi on Saturday.
Xavi’s side were 2-1 up and on course for an important win when Sergi Roberto came up with a ridiculous error that gifted Girona the chance to level the match.
Roberto was quick to apologize but it was a horrible moment and jars even more coming in a week where it’s been reported he’s about to sign a contract renewal.
Minutes later some more dismal defending saw Miguel Gutierrez make it 3-2, via a big deflection off Jules Kounde, before Portu wrapped it up late on.
The win means that Girona are now a point ahead of Barca in the table, and qualify for the Champions League for the first time ever, while Real Madrid have taken Barca’s title and have a massive lead over their rivals.
Meanwhile, Barca are left to rue yet another worrying collapse that will raise fresh questions over just where this team is going with familiar failings on show yet again.
Lamine Yamal’s efforts in vain
Barcelona’s dismal result masks another impressive performance from Lamine Yamal who was easily the Catalans’ best player yet again.
The 16-year-old bagged an assist for Andreas Christensen’s lovely opener and then won a penalty for Barcelona’s second goal just before half-time.
There was plenty more to like from Barca’s talented teen who has managed to live up to the incredible hype after breaking into the first team this season.
He’s actually played more than anyone would have imagined too. Saturday’s match means he’s featured in all but one of Barca’s La Liga games this season, starting 18 times. The fact Xavi is relying on a 16-year-old speaks volumes too and is another worrying sign.
Barcelona’s wonderkid likely won’t get a rest now either as Xavi’s team try to regain second spot, and that all important money-spinning Super Cup place, in the final weeks of the campaign.
Yet another Barcelona collapse
Barcelona’s defeat to Girona summed up what’s been a really difficult season for the Catalan giants in a performance that has become depressingly familiar.
The visitors controlled long periods, went ahead, had chances to kill the game, were then guilty of poor individual errors, collapsed mentally and ended up losing.
Barca have now conceded 68 goals this season in all competitions, their worst tally since 2012-13, and have been beaten home and away by both Girona and Real Madrid.
Xavi was fairly critical of his team afterwards, while Ronald Araujo got a bit closer to the crux of the problem by claiming a shift in mentality is needed. You’d love to know what Ilkay Gundogan thinks of it all.
Meanwhile, Joan Laporta was heard screaming in frustration. Not just with the result you suspect, but the fact that the team may miss out on a financially-rewarding trip to the Spanish Super Cup.
And through it all you can’t help wonder about next season. Xavi is staying but has little budget to work with unless a big star is sold, while Real Madrid will build on their title win by adding Kylian Mbappe.
