The Catalans – with a long list of injuries – quickly took the lead through Pedri (13th minute). Not much later, Belgian veteran Axel Witsel scored the equalizer with a beautiful bicycle kick: 1-1 in the 20th minute. After this, Girona had chances to score 1-2, but the post got in the way. Marcus Rashford then hit the underside of the crossbar with a free kick, but the ball did not go in.
Frenkie de Jong looks back on a dark period: ‘I knew things wouldn’t go the way they did with Van Basten’
Even just before half-time, there were still great opportunities for Girona, which allowed FC Barcelona to survive. Girona is number 18 in Spain, but there was little sign of that in Barcelona. Halftime was therefore reached with a 1-1 score in this Catalan derby.
Frenkie de Jong with a shot on target. © ANP/HH
Frenkie de Jong provides a decisive assist
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick supports Frenkie de Jong: ‘I’m not happy either’
Even after the break, Girona – with Daley Blind in the starting line-up – frequently looked for attack. De Jong missed another chance in the pouring rain after the break. In the 61st minute, Barcelona thought they would score, but the goal was canceled due to a foul. Time was slowly running out for coach Hansi Flick’s team, so as not to fall further behind Real Madrid.
Because Flick’s tiki-taka was hard to find this afternoon. It drove Flick crazy and he still saw red from the Spanish referee. It seemed to be heading for 1-1, until De Jong made a deep run in injury time and then put the ball back on the back line to substitute Araujo: 2-1.
Frenkie de Jong receives a ‘warm welcome’ from the FC Barcelona selection after signing a new contract
Frenkie de Jong sneers: ‘My salary was exaggerated and that was your fault’
Frenkie de Jong (28) extends contract with FC Barcelona until mid-2029 and is for sale for ‘500 million euros’
RegularMatch day 9
0 – 2
1 – 3
2 – 1
Today
Today
Regular
| Position | Team | P | GS | W | V | G | DS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FC Barcelona | 22 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | +14 |
| 2 | Real Madrid | 21 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | +10 |
| 3 | Villarreal CF | 16 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | +6 |
| 4 | Real Betis | 15 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | +5 |
| 5 | Espanyol | 15 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | +2 |
| 6 | Atlético Madrid | 13 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | +5 |
| 7 | Seville | 13 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | +2 |
| 8 | Elche | 13 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | +2 |
| 9 | Athletic Bilbao | 13 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | Deportivo Alaves | 11 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | +1 |
| 11 | Getafe CF | 11 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | -2 |
| 12 | CA Osasuna | 10 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | -1 |
| 13 | Levante UD | 8 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | -1 |
| 14 | Rayo Vallecano | 8 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | -2 |
| 15 | Real Mallorca | 8 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 2 | -4 |
| 15 | Valencia CF | 8 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | -4 |
| 17 | Celta de Vigo | 6 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | -3 |
| 18 | Real Oviedo | 6 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 0 | -12 |
| 19 | FC Girona | 6 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 3 | -13 |
| 20 | Real Sociedad | 5 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 2 | -5 |