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Barcelona continue marching clear with win over Girona

Kieran Jackson,Callum Rice-Coates

Sunday 27 January 2019 16:27 GMT

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Barcelona defender Moussa Wague apologises for striking fan after ‘numerous racist insults’

Barcelona won its eighth straight Spanish league game as Lionel Messi scored in a 2-0 win at 10-man Girona on Sunday.

Barcelona kept its five-point lead over Atletico Madrid with Messi grabbing his 10th goal in a seven-game scoring streak in the league. He was left all alone to chip the ball over goalkeeper Yassine Bounou in the 69th minute.

The Spanish league had originally wanted to play the match in the United States, but the plan fell through. Instead of traveling 7,500 kilometers (4,600 miles) to Miami, Barcelona went 100 kilometers (60 miles) to Girona's Montilivi Stadium.

Right back Nelson Semedo gave Barcelona the ninth-minute lead when a loose ball fell to him in the area, and he used his left leg to rifle it inside the post. It was only his second goal in his second season with the Catalan club.

But Girona stifled Barcelona's attack and threatened to equalize on several occasions through striker Cristian Stuani.

Stuani's best chance came late in the first half when Marc-Andre ter Stegen got low to block his shot. Teammate Pere Pons came close to finishing off the rebound, only for Gerard Pique to clear his shot from the line.

The hosts lost defender Bernardo Espinosa to a second yellow card in the 52nd after he fouled Luis Suarez. But Girona still gave Barcelona trouble until coach Ernesto Valverde sent on Arthur for Arturo Vidal.

With Arthur helping in the midfield, Barcelona took control. Suarez then played Jordi Alba clear down the left, where the defender found Messi at the top of the box with only Bounou to beat.

Messi's goal was his competition-leading 19th of the season.

Messi was back in Barcelona's starting 11 after getting some rest in the previous two matches. He scored as a substitute in a 3-1 win over Leganes last weekend, and then was left off the squad in a 2-0 loss at Sevilla in the Copa del Rey.

Barcelona hosts Sevilla in the return leg of their cup quarterfinal on Wednesday.

What time does it start?

Girona vs Barcelona kicks off at 3:15pm (GMT) on Sunday 27th January.

Ten players who need to move clubs this January

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1/12Ten players who need to move clubs this January

Ten players who need to move clubs this January

Ten players who need to move clubs this January

Despite the 2019 January transfer window being just a few days old, some clubs have already made their move, most noticeably at Chelsea who have agreed to bring in Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic in the summer. However, while some are highly coveted, others are in need of change of landscape and increased playing time, with a busy window expected yet again for Premier League clubs. With that in mind, here are 10 players who could really benefit from a move away from their current clubs in a bid to revive their season.

Getty Images

Ten players who need to move clubs this January

Alvaro Morata

The Chelsea forward has endured a torrid time with the FA Cup holders this season, bagging just seven goals in 23 appearances in all competitions. The Spaniard has looked ineffective in Maurizio Sarri’s system in a poor run of form which began last season and saw him left out of Spain’s World Cup squad. A switch to Juventus involving Gonzalo Higuain going the other way has been touted, but complications could arise with the Argentine currently on loan at AC Milan.

AFP/Getty Images

Ten players who need to move clubs this January

Matteo Darmian

The right-back has become a forgotten man at Manchester United, having seen just 360 minutes of competitive action this season. The 29-year-old, who featured only 17 times for the Red Devils last season, made no secret of his desire to leave Old Trafford in the summer, with Juventus having shown a strong interest in him during the last two transfer windows. However, with the Turin club having signed Joao Cancelo in the summer, the Italian will likely have to look for another escape route.

Man Utd via Getty Images

Ten players who need to move clubs this January

Fernando Llorente

The Spaniard has been sparingly used by Mauricio Pochettino from the bench, and therefore a change of club may benefit the 33-year-old as he comes into the twilight of his career. The former Swansea City and Juventus striker has managed just one goal this season in a 3-1 League Cup win over West Ham United. That strike was one of just six he has notched up during his 18 months in North London, and that figure could see him eye up a return to Spain, with Valencia and Athletic Bilbao reportedly interested.

Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I

Ten players who need to move clubs this January

Danny Drinkwater

The former Leicester City midfielder is in desperate need of a change of scenery after playing just 30 minutes under Maurizio Sarri, which came in the Community Shield back in August. The 28-year-old made just 22 appearances last season with Antonio Conte at the helm, but has been completely put out of the picture by the former Napoli boss. Drinkwater could seek an exit to Fulham and a reunion with Claudio Ranieri, who is still searching for a clever passer in his midfield following Jean Michael Seri’s indifferent start to life in west London and Kevin McDonald’s struggles in adapting to the pace of the Premier League.

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Ten players who need to move clubs this January

Morgan Schneiderlin

The Frenchman supposedly started with a clean slate when Marco Silva took over at Everton last May, and that was confirmed when he started four of the Toffees’ first five games of the league season. However, similar to what he faced at Old Trafford under Jose Mourinho, the 29-year-old has been frozen out of the picture, having not featured in the Premier League since September against West Ham. The midfielder has also had issues with teammates and booing supporters during his time on Merseyside, and this window represents the perfect opportunity for Schneiderlin to end his nightmare.

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Ten players who need to move clubs this January

Callum Wilson

Wilson has undoubtedly emerged as Bournemouth star player this season, scoring 11 goals for his club already this season in a run which also saw him mark his England debut in November with a goal against the United States. Despite the 26-year-old forward’s impressive tally, Bournemouth lie in the bottom half of the table and the opportunity to join a Chelsea side crying out for a centre forward may be too good to turn down.

Getty Images

Ten players who need to move clubs this January

Alberto Moreno

Moreno arrived at Liverpool in 2014 with an ever-growing reputation, but the Spaniard has never recovered from the shaky start he made to life at Anfield despite his popularity among his teammates. The left-back is out of contract in the summer, and with no plans to extend his contract after making comments appearing to criticise Jurgen Klopp, Moreno could seek a move back to Sevilla, while Ligue 1 side Marseille are also said to be among potential suitors.

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Ten players who need to move clubs this January

Reece Oxford

The 20-year-old has fallen out of a favour at West Ham under Manuel Pellegrini, and he has not featured for the senior side for 12 months now. The defender made his Hammers debut aged 16 in a 2-0 win at Arsenal but spent last season on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach. The German club are consequently said to have made overtures to bring the defender back to the club on a permanent basis, while Arsenal have also been credited with an interest of recruiting him in the summer.

West Ham United via Getty Images

Ten players who need to move clubs this January

Carl Jenkinson

The Arsenal right-back’s competitive action has been limited to the Europa League group games and the early rounds of the EFL Cup. The 26-year-old has spent time on loan at West Ham United and Birmingham City in recent seasons which both proved to be largely unsuccessful due to both injuries and form. Unai Emery’s preference of putting central midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles at right-back during Arsenal’s recent defensive crisis is just the latest in a sequence of decisions which have ensured the writing has long been on the wall for Jenkinson.

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Ten players who need to move clubs this January

Callum Paterson

The converted forward has been a considerable factor in keeping Cardiff City’s hopes of avoiding relegation alive with his four league goals this season. The 24-year-old has spent the majority of his career as a full-back and midfielder, but has been made to lead the Bluebirds’ line to solve their striking crisis. While he may not prove to be the most effective lone forward, there could be a role for the Scot as a supporting striker for a club looking to push into the top half of the table.

Getty Images

Ten players who need to move clubs this January

Denis Suarez

The Barcelona midfielder has played just 17 minutes in La Liga this season and seems to no longer represent the club’s future. Arthur and Ivan Rakitic have largely been the duo utilised by Ernesto Valverde, with the likes of Arturo Vidal and Rafinha also having struggled for game time at various points this campaign. Chelsea and Arsenal are both said to have an interest in 24-year-old Suarez, who has completed 90 minutes just twice this season in the Catalan giants’ two-legged Copa del Rey tie with Cultural Leonesa.

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Where can I watch it?

Girona vs Barcelona will be shown live on Eleven Sports 1 from 3:10pm (GMT).

Highlights will be on the Eleven Sports website after the match.

Lionel Messi and Ivan Rakitic celebrate (AFP/Getty Images)

Player to watch…

Ivan Rakitic: The 30-year-old has been a mainstay in Barcelona’s midfield all season. The playmaker has only scored twice in the league, but his creativity has been integral to Barcelona’s impressive record. He may play alongside new signing Kevin-Prince Boateng in midfield.

Form guide…

Girona: DDDDLL

Barcelona: WLWWWL

Odds…

Girona to win: 7/1

Barcelona to win: 33/100

Draw: 17/4

Callum will be along shortly with all the live action. In the meantime here's the latest from the Real Madrid camp:

Ramos reveals why he might stop doing 'Panenka' penalties

Lawrence Ostlere27 January 2019 14:01

Barcelona can extend their lead at the top of La Liga to five points with victory over Girona at the Estadi Montilivi -- not Miami -- today. Ernesto Valverde made several changes as his side fell to defeat in the Copa del Rey against Sevilla in midweek, and a win today will be needed to justify that.

The Blaugrana, in strong form in La Liga, will be strong favourites, but they will have to be wary of a Girona side more than capable of causing an upset. Kick off is just minutes away.

Callum Rice-Coates27 January 2019 15:08

Team News

Girona: Bono, Alcala, Bernardo, Juanpe, Porro, Pons, Granell, Valery, Portu, Garcia, Stuani.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Vidal, Coutinho, Suarez, Messi.

Callum Rice-Coates27 January 2019 15:10

↵

Callum Rice-Coates27 January 2019 15:12

Girona, in red and white, get us going. Can Barcelona come out on top in this Catalan derby and extend their lead over Atletico Madrid?

Callum Rice-Coates27 January 2019 15:16

Girona 0-0 Barcelona

2 minutes

Girona have started well. The visitors are forced to deal with a couple of long balls into the box, before Garcia breaks down the left. His cross is headed clear by Pique.

Callum Rice-Coates27 January 2019 15:18

Girona 0-0 Barcelona

5 minutes

Barcelona break forward and win a free kick on the left. Messi, standing menacingly over the ball, swings in a dangerous cross which just about makes its way into the arms of goalkeeper Bono.

Callum Rice-Coates27 January 2019 15:21

Girona 0-0 Barcelona

8 minutes

Coutinho collects the ball in space and turns toward the Girona goal. He cuts inside and looks set to hit a trademark long shot. But instead he lofts a tame cross into the box, which rolls harmlessly through for a goal kick.

Callum Rice-Coates27 January 2019 15:24

GOAL! Girona 0-1 Barcelona (Semedo)

9 minutes

Barcelona capitalise on some loose Girona defending and lead at the Estadi Montilivi. The ball bobbles around the box, before dropping at the feet of right back Semedo, who sweeps a left-footed finish into the bottom corner. An unexpected goal scorer, perhaps, but no surprise that Barcelona are in front. They've started turning the screw after a slow opening few minutes.

Callum Rice-Coates27 January 2019 15:25

Girona 0-1 Barcelona

13 minutes

Girona, looking for an immediate response, break down the left. The ball is played towards the back post and Stuani goes down under pressure. There are some appeals for a penalty but the referee isn't interested.

Callum Rice-Coates27 January 2019 15:29

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