Barcelona beat Girona 3-0 on Saturday to continue their perfect start to the 2017-18 season and move four points clear at the top of La Liga.
Girona captain Aday Benitez and goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz inadvertently steered the ball into their own net to give Ernesto Valverde’s side a comfortable two-goal cushion. Luis Suarez went on to seal victory after 69 minutes as he latched onto Sergi Roberto’s long pass to tuck his shot inside the near post for his second goal of the season.
It was truly a historical encounter in Catalonia as Girona faced Barcelona for the first time in La Liga with the hosts backed by an enthusiastic crowd inside the Estadi Montilivi. Unlike what most expected, the home side were not overawed by their powerful opponents with Douglas Luiz, in particular, causing problems in the early stages.
Girona did well to contain Barcelona for the remainder of the half, with the visitors often guilty of overplaying. Regardless of how things turned out, the Catalan giants will be happy at picking up three points. The Hard Tackle takes a look at some of the best tweets regarding the match.
Barcelona are the only side in LaLiga with a 100% record this season:
6 games
6 wins
20 goals
2 concededThe perfect start. ? pic.twitter.com/MPY9By5IE2
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 23, 2017
No manager in the history of Barcelona has had better stats than Valverde in the 1st 6 league games. (6/6 wins, +18 goal diff). [misterchip]
— Barcastuff (@barcastuff__) September 23, 2017
Girona plays for FC Barcelona. Loyal fans indeed. Two goals.
— Ramzi ⚽Ⓜ (@footballmood) September 23, 2017
"OWN GOAL" is Barça's 2nd highest goalscorer this season in the La Liga, after Leo Messi. pic.twitter.com/dLl4q0V3lM
— Leo Messi ? (@WeAreMessi) September 23, 2017
Busquets coming on for Paulinho, which says a lot about how Barça are playing, despite being 2-0 up.
— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) September 23, 2017
Watching Barca with Grandad and no banter he's just got off the sofa, stood up and clapped Iniesta when he was subbed??
— Coxon (@JoeyCoxon97) September 23, 2017
This is the match with the probably weirdest and luckiest goals Barca have ever scored
— El Máestro (@ElMaestrofcb) September 23, 2017
Barca unable to exploit Girona's high line so far. Messi made 4-5 great runs but pass timing was always off. Busi would tear that line apart
— Jen Evelyn (@JenFCB) September 23, 2017
Jordi Alba has been class today just like he has all season, Barca fans developed an agenda last season and will never admit they're wrong
— Juan (@fraudiesta1) September 23, 2017
Although Luis Suarez scored a fine goal last night, the Uruguayan got mixed reviews for his performance.
? appearances
87 goals
Take a bow, Luis Suarez ? pic.twitter.com/p2eKdODZaL— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 23, 2017
Suárez has participated directly in 130 goals in 100 league matches for Barcelona.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) September 23, 2017
Ahh when Suarez scores against Girona, everyone goes mad but when Cavani scores against Amiens, Toulouse etc, he's playing against farmers.
— PSG Fan Account ?? (@psgcomps9) September 23, 2017
What a boring, lethargic, completely forgetful match.
I only hope his goal wakes Suarez up for good.
We need him.
— Lucas R. (@lucasammr) September 23, 2017
Where I hear that Luis Suarez is starting a match. pic.twitter.com/NhFYVU2x1Z
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) September 23, 2017
Every copper Iniesta touches turns Gold, before his teammates turn it rusty iron. Except Suarez who's turning it to melted plastic.
— Ramzi ⚽Ⓜ (@footballmood) September 23, 2017
Suarez is Windows 95
— Ahmad (@ahmadf_o) September 23, 2017
100 games, 87 goals, 51 assists for Luis Suarez. Impressive record despite the many, MANY times culés want to strangle him.
— XH6 (@XaviAssist) September 23, 2017
A lot was also spoken about how well Maffeo marked danger man Lionel Messi.
Pablo Maffeo asked what Messi said to him after man marking him: "He asked me two things: if I was on loan from Man City and how old I was."
— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) September 23, 2017
Valverde: "Messi came to talk to me in the tenth minute to ask where I wanted him to locate the man (Maffeo) who was following him." GENIUS
— ⚽™ (@__A_M_T_) September 23, 2017
Match ends, Messi drives home, opens his house door, turns to the shadow breathing down his neck & whispers:"That'll be it, Maffeo. Go home"
— Ramzi ⚽Ⓜ (@footballmood) September 23, 2017
Maffeo had Messi in his pocket last night tbh
— Messi Maniac (@Messi_Maniac) September 24, 2017
Maffeo played for 78 minutes and had only 5 passes. He was only there to mark Messi. ?#GironaBarça #barcelona #fcb #messi #gironabarca
— Ahmad (@FCB_holic) September 23, 2017
Interviewer: Did coach ask you to follow Messi all over the pitch?
Maffeo: Yes but not that much! but it was fun around him. #GironaBarça— vEnKi (@im__venki) September 23, 2017
The only reason Messi hasn't scored is because of Pablo Maffeo, Man has kept Messi at bay like his paycheck depends on it.
— Oh You Gotta Luv Me (@JunkieYno) September 23, 2017
