FC Barcelona were undoubtedly lackluster against Girona in their recent clash. The Catalan encounter saw two of the best-performing sides from the region go head to head at the Montjuic Stadium. When the final whistle blew, it was the visitors who came out on top.
Even worse for Barcelona, a scoreline of 4-2 is not even questionable as a fluke. Girona thoroughly outclassed Xavi’s side and came away with a performance worth boasting about. However, there was one thing that Barcelona certainly wasted way too much of.
In terms of shots taken by the two Catalan teams, Barcelona were the more frequent customers. As highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, La Blaugrana did not just take way more shots, they were equally as bad in terms of converting those shots.
Across the entire game, Barcelona took a total of 31 shots. However, only eleven managed to be on target from amongst those frequent attempts. In comparison, Girona only took 15 shots at the Barcelona goal, and managed to ensure that 7 of them were on target.
Moreover, Barcelona ended the game with only two goals to their name. On the other hand, their Catalan visitors managed to put four past the home team. In the report, MD has highlighted the players who were mainly responsible for these wayward attempts.
The players with the most shots attempted were Raphinha (8), Ilkay Gundogan (8), Robert Lewandowski (6), Fermin Lopez (3), and Joao Felix (2).
From amongst them, most of them were way too complacent with their attempts. Gundogan only had 3 shots on target, Raphinha had 4, Felix had none, and Robert Lewandowski had only two shots directed towards the Girona goal.
Moreover, the reality of the goals that did come were also embarrassing for Barcelona. The first goal came through a corner that Lewandowski managed to convert, while the second had to come through Gundogan of all people.
This lack of efficiency from the forwards in front of the goal has cost Barcelona a lot this season. Even though the midfielders should do their part to contribute, it is primarily the task of the frontline to convert their chances.
One particular highlight from this game that will undoubtedly remain ingrained within the minds of Barcelona fans is the missed header by Lewandowski in added time.
A free header that could have leveled the game, but instead it was misjudged and misplaced by the Pole. Barcelona now fall 5 points behind Real Madrid, and 7 behind Girona. Perhaps that one moment of clinical finishing could have cushioned the blow much more.
