Barcelona vs Girona: Flick to miss El Clasico as Blaugrana leave it late to win Catalan derby

Barcelona ensured that they will go into the El Clasico with a victory, as a late Ronald Araujo strike helped them beat Girona 2-1.

Barcelona came into the game off the back of successive defeats against PSG and Sevilla. The international break did not seem fix their gaping defensive issues, as Girona has many chances to score.

However, poor finishing from Michel's side plus a late gutsy finish from Araujo helped Barcelona secure victory.

Barcelona began with intent, dominating possession and probing down the flanks, and it paid off early: in the 13th minute Yamal drove a penetrating run down the right and slid a measured pass into Pedri, who danced past the Girona backline, before finishing coolly past the goalkeeper.

Girona responded with belief, and in the 20th minute a swift counter saw Martínez flick a ball into Witsel, who executed a spectacular bicycle-style volley into the net, rewriting the score to 1-1.

From there the remainder of the half saw Girona defend deep and absorb sustained pressure from the Blaugrana, but consistently create goalscoring opportunities from counter-attacks.

The second half unfolded with fewer clear openings as Girona grew in confidence and Barcelona appeared a little less sharp. As the contest entered injury-time, Araujo, playing unusually high, ran to the near post to meet de Jong’s right-wing cross and sidefooted in the winner in the 90+3′ minute.

Coach Hansi Flick, sent off moments earlier for disputing a decision, could only watch from the stands as the victory was sealed.