Barcelona thrash Girona to restore LaLiga lead

Robert Lewandowski bagged a brace as Barcelona defeated Girona 4-1 to move three points clear at the top of LaLiga on Sunday.

After second-placed Real Madrid pulled level on points with them on Saturday by beating Leganes, Hansi Flick’s side restored their advantage at the Olympic Stadium.

Lewandowski responded to Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe’s double with one of his own to stay three goals ahead in the race for Spain’s golden boot.

Barcelona, unbeaten this year in 20 matches, took the lead through a Ladislav Krejci own goal near the end of the first half.
Arnaut Danjuma pulled Girona level but Lewandowski netted twice and Ferran Torres finished off the rout.

Girona beat Barcelona twice last season but have struggled to hit those heights again and sit 13th.

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Lewandowski said after the game: “In the first half we had the game under control but lacked the final ball, but in the second half we played more attacking, made more chances and scored some goals, that’s the most important thing.

“We played with patience, we had a plan and if we play with that plan we can always score a lot of goals and win the game.”

The 36-year-old striker said he had the legs to keep playing for seasons to come.

He added: “I know a lot of people are talking abut my age but I want to play more years at the top level.

“I feel very good physically; I think looking at the stats there’s no difference now to a few years ago.”

This was remarkably the 20th time this season Barcelona have scored four goals or more from 45 games, with a potential treble in their sights.

The Star