Barcelona faced Girona in a thrilling Catalan derby on Sunday afternoon, March 30, 2025, at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, and the match ended in a convincing 4-1 victory for the home side. The Blaugrana, led by manager Hansi Flick, showcased their dominance throughout the match, particularly in the first half, where they created numerous scoring opportunities.
Barcelona started the match energetically, with Lamine Yamal making a significant impact early on. His efforts culminated in a free-kick that deflected off Girona's Ladislav Krejci, resulting in an own goal in the 43rd minute, giving Barcelona a 1-0 lead just before halftime. Despite dominating possession, the home side struggled to convert their chances into goals, with Girona's goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga making several outstanding saves to keep his team in the game.
However, the second half began dramatically as Girona equalized shortly after the break. Arnaut Danjuma found the net in the 53rd minute, finishing a well-placed assist from Daley Blind, which stunned the Barcelona fans and momentarily shifted the momentum. But Barcelona quickly regained control, and Robert Lewandowski proved to be the difference-maker.
Lewandowski, who has been in sensational form this season, scored his first goal of the match in the 61st minute. He converted a header from Fermín López, showcasing his poaching instincts to put Barcelona back in front at 2-1. Just 16 minutes later, Lewandowski struck again, this time with a low shot assisted by Frenkie de Jong, extending the lead to 3-1.
As the match drew to a close, Ferran Torres, who came off the bench, added the final touch to the scoreline by scoring Barcelona's fourth goal in the 86th minute, assisted by Gerard Martín. This goal sealed a comprehensive victory for Barcelona, who now sits firmly at the top of La Liga with 66 points after 29 matches.
Barcelona's player ratings reflected their dominance on the pitch. Wojciech Szczesny, the goalkeeper, received a rating of 6.5, having had little to do but remained alert when needed. Gerard Martin also scored 6.5 for his solid defensive performance. Inigo Martinez, who returned from injury, was impressive and earned an 8 for his contributions. Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde both received 7.5 ratings for their defensive efforts and contributions to the attack.
Midfield maestro Pedri was pivotal in Barcelona's buildup play, earning an 8.5 for his creativity and work rate. Eric Garcia and Fermín López also scored 8, with López being particularly influential in the final third, providing an assist for Lewandowski's first goal. Gavi, playing as a floating midfielder, received a 7.5, contributing to both defense and attack.
Lamine Yamal, the young star, was rated 8 for his electric performance, including creating the opening goal. Lewandowski, the standout player of the match, earned a perfect 9 for his two goals, while Torres rounded off the scoring with an 8 rating for his impactful substitute appearance.
This match was crucial for Barcelona, not just for the points but also for maintaining their momentum as they pursue the La Liga title. The team has shown resilience and quality, particularly after Girona's equalizer, demonstrating their ability to respond under pressure.
Barcelona’s victory also highlighted their attacking prowess, as they have now won their last nine matches in La Liga. With their eyes set on further success this season, including the Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League, the players will look to carry this form into their upcoming fixtures.
As for Girona, the defeat leaves them struggling in the mid-table, and they will need to regroup quickly to avoid slipping further down the standings. Despite their spirited performance, they were unable to match Barcelona's quality and will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities moving forward.
Overall, this match was a testament to Barcelona’s strength and depth, as they continue to assert their dominance in Spanish football. With Lewandowski leading the charge, the Blaugrana fans have plenty to be excited about as the season progresses.
