Ferran, own goal and the Pole keeping Barca on a roll

Last night, Real Madrid beat Leganes, catching up with Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table, and gave Hansi Flick's men a task to try to escape again. And they fulfilled it perfectly, brushing their neighbours Girona aside - 4-1.

During the opening half, Blaugrana's biggest problem was Girona's custodian Paulo Gazzaniga, who was an insurmountable obstacle until the 43rd minute when his own teammate Ladislav Krejci put the ball behind his back, easing the home team's work.

After the break, Girona shortly responded, levelling over Arnaut Danjuma, but the home team quickly took the control back, bouncing back and securing a 4-1 win behind Robert Lewandowski's brace and Ferran Torres' final touch.

Following Girona's opening chance six minutes into the game over Viktor Tsygankov, Barcelona took control of the match. However, one man was in charge - the visitors' custodian Paulo Gazzaniga.

The Argentinian stopped Robert Lewandowski from inside the area and Lamine Yamal one-on-one, as well as Ronald Araujo's marvellous header after a corner kick, making one of the best saves of the season.

Barca's unbreakable machine - Jules Kounde

Six minutes before the break, Jules Kounde found the net but was offside, though that was only the introduction to Barca's opener. Since Blaugrana's players couldn't score, Gazzaniga was outsmarted by his own teammate, Ladislav Krejci, as the ball deflected off his hand and into the net following Yamal's free-kick cross.

Girona players mostly stood behind the ball as Barca's high pressing left no space for their attacks, given that Michel's men would lose the ball almost immediately after taking it.

After the break, when everyone expected Barcelona's "final touch," Girona managed to level over Arnaut Danjuma, though Daley Blind did most of the job, stealing the ball and assisting eight minutes into the second half. Yet, even though the visitors were more keen on offence, Flick's men quickly - only eight minutes later - retook the lead behind Fermin Lopez's assist and Lewandowski's skillful finish through Gazzaniga's legs.

Sixteen minutes later, Lewa completed a brace and secured the vital three points to Barca! Frenkie de Jong initiated a counter attack and assisted to the Pole following a fantastic solo effort. The 36-year-old took no prisoners, making it 3-1. Four minutes before the end, the sub Ferran Torres crowned another Barcelona's hasty attack with another goal, the fourth in Girona's net.

Following this victory, Flick's crew is again alone in the La Liga leading position, three points clear of the followers Real Madrid. Still, there are nine rounds to go and things can change very quickly.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAYS 27 and 29

Thursday

Barcelona - Osasuna 3-0 (2-0)

/Torres 10, Olmo (p) 20, Lewandowski 77/

Saturday

Sociedad - Valladolid 2-1 (1-0)

/Oyarzabal 23, Gomez 68 - Latasa 90+3/

Espanyol - Atl. Madrid 1-1 (0-1)

/Puado 71 pen - Azpilicueta 38/

Alaves - Rayo Vallecano 0-2 (0-1)

/Ciss 2, Diaz 58/

Real Madrid - Leganes 3-2 (1-2)

/Mbappe 32 pen, 76, Bellingham 46 - Garcia 33, Raba 41/

Sunday

Getafe - Villarreal 1-2 (1-2)

/Perez C. 29 - Perez A. 15, Barry 33/

Barcelona - Girona 4-1 (1-0)

/Krejci 43 og, Lewandowski 61, 77, Torres F. 86 - Danjuma 53/

19:30: (1.47) Athletic Club (4.20) Osasuna (7.50)

19:30: (2.20) Valencia (3.20) Mallorca (3.80)

22:00: (1.90) Betis (3.60) Sevilla (4.50)

Monday

22:00: (1.65) Celta Vigo (4.25) Las Palmas (5.70)

***odds are subject to change***