Barcelona: Barcelona maintained their perfect start to La Liga with a sixth straight win as a strike by Luis Suarez and two own goals secured a 3-0 win at Girona in a match laced with political tension.
Girona were hosting Barca in a Catalan derby for the first time in the top flight, but a lopsided game on the field was marked by persistent chants in favour of independence for Catalonia.
Catalonia’s pro-separatist president Carles Puigdemont was in attendance, whilst the pro-independence Estelada flag was waved by sections of both supports.
“The game had its difficulties,” said Barca boss Ernesto Valverde. “It’s a derby, there was a great atmosphere, tension. It is normal, but we played well.”
On the field there was much less controversy as Barca were rarely troubled after Aday Benitez turned Jordi Alba’s wayward shot into his own net after just 17 minutes.
Another own goal extended their advantage three minutes after half time when goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz was fooled by Suarez’s dummy from Aleix Vidal’s cross.
The Uruguayan striker rounded off the scoring himself with just his second goal of the season by whipping the ball into Iraizoz’s near post from Sergi Roberto’s pass over the top.
The home team were not overawed and Douglas Luiz went clean through only for a fine point blank save from Marc Andre ter Stegen to prevent the newly promoted side taking the lead.
Parity did not last beyond 17 minutes, however. Jordi Alba’s shot was deflected past Iraizoz by Aday Benitez to give Barcelona the lead.
Despite getting themselves in front Barcelona were not comfortable with Girona’s high defensive line catching them offside on numerous occasions. Messi was upset with Ivan Rakitic when he delayed his pass meaning the Argentine was the wrong side of the last defender and the flag was raised.
Barcelona doubled their advantage on 48 minutes and again Girona did the goalscoring for the visitors. Aleix Vidal back-heeled a cross from the right and when Luis Suarez let it run between his legs, confused keeper Iraizoz mimicked Vidal’s backheel and flicked it over his own line. It meant that own goal was now Barcelona’s second top scorer on three behind nine-goal Messi.
Sergi Roberto sent a lofted pass into space and the Uruguayan, who had been frustrated by the off-side flag all night, timed his run perfectly and lashed it past Iraizoz for 3-0. The goal was also a special one for Suarez as it came on his 100th La Liga appearance.
The win means Barcelona retain their 100 per cent record and stay four points clear at the top and seven ahead of Real Madrid.
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