The victory against FC Girona is difficult. But even without Robert Lewandowski, Barça managed to draw 1-0. They score one more goal than rivals Real Madrid, who drew 0-0 against Real Sociedad. Although Barça is ahead of the competition, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti remains very optimistic.
With the third win in a row, FC Barcelona has extended its lead in the Spanish La Liga. Still without the suspended former Bayern star Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona beat FC Girona 1-0 (0-0) with some difficulty. With 47 points from 18 games, the Catalans are five points ahead of arch-rivals Real Madrid (42). The royals, with national player Antonio Rüdiger and former world champion Toni Kroos, did not get beyond a goalless draw in the pursuit duel with third-placed Real Sociedad San Sebastian.
Pedri (61') scored the goal of the day after a mistake by Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga. For Barcelona it was the third 1-0 in a row and the 15th win of the season. The team led by German international goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen has only conceded six goals. Girona's coach Michel saw the red card just before the final whistle (90.4) for protesting too wildly.
After the encounter, the Catalans announced that winger Ousmane Dembélé will be out with a quadriceps injury. According to Spanish media reports, the former Dortmund player could be out for three to four weeks. The Frenchman was substituted in the 26th minute after colliding with Girona's Arnau Martinez.
Despite the growing deficit, Real Madrid does not want to be shaken off, at least verbally. Before the game against Valencia on Thursday, coach Carlo Ancelotti grabbed his verbal bag of tricks. A win there, said the man who likes to chew gum, and "we've got more points than at the same time last season".
Despite the draw, Ancelotti was not dissatisfied. "It was one of our best games this season. Real Sociedad couldn't play the way they wanted. We pushed them high, we played with the right intensity, we were good with the ball and passionate without it. We were a little unlucky ."
