Barcelona slip in Girona derby as title race tightens

Spanish champions FC Barcelona lost 2-1 to Girona FC on Monday, a defeat that cost them top spot in La Liga.Real Madrid had already beaten Real Sociedad on Saturday, moving two points clear at the top of the table.

Barcelona needed a win to return to first place but could not get the job done.

Barcelona started brightly but wasted several chances. Young star Lamine Yamal missed a penalty, hitting the post. Defender Pau Cubarsí eventually gave Barcelona the lead with a header just before the hour mark.Girona responded quickly. Thomas Lemar scored from close range to make it 1-1. Girona then grew stronger and created many chances, forcing Barcelona’s goalkeeper to make several excellent saves.Late in the game, Fran Beltrán scored from outside the box to give Girona the lead. "In the end Girona deserved it, they had a lot of chances, we defended very badly," admitted Flick."We are not in a good mood, not in a good moment, I gave the team two days off because I think it's important they reset."There's a long way (to go), we're now in second, now we have to fight for first place in the table."The defeat comes shortly after Barcelona’s heavy 4-0 loss to Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, adding to their recent struggles.

"We have to improve because they can't score these two goals against us," Cubarsi told DAZN."We have to be self-critical, we didn't play a great game, we have to improve, but now we have to rest and charge our batteries."Barcelona players were unhappy because they believed Jules Koundé had been fouled in the build-up to the goal, but the referee did not give it."It seemed like a foul (on Kounde) to me, but we shouldn't focus on decisions we can't control," said Barca defender Gerard Martin.Flick said "everyone saw" what happened and it was a "clear" foul, but he would not complain about it too much because Barca had a lot to improve on themselves."I would speak about that if we played well, but we didn't play well, so it looks like an excuse and complaining," said Flick."The (officials) do their job, sometimes it's not a good job, but they are on the same level as we played, so it's maybe not a good level."Girona finished the match with 10 men after a late red card but held on for an important win. "Three points against Barca are more than three points, normally they beat almost all teams," said happy Girona coach Michel Sanchez.