Barcelona talking points as ponderous midfield play turned to Lionel Messi again

Messi added the second with a delightful finish and the visitors could’ve scored more but for some poor finishing.

Here, we look at the talking points from the encounter.

BORING BARCA

Three vital points at Estadi Montilivi restored Barcelona’s five-point lead at the summit and could prove crucial in their title charge. But their purist fans will point to this performance and call for Ernesto Valverde’s head.

The Basque boss has often been criticised for his cautious approach and the Blaugrana’s labourious passing and build-up play for much of the clash with the Blanquivermell would’ve done him no favours.

Barca’s opener came about rather fortuitously with Semedo’s snapshot following a few ricochets inside the box before finding the bottom corner. Thereafter, it was Girona who had the better chances.

Espinosa’s rather soft sending off gave the Catalans the advantage and it was only a matter of time before they found the back of the net again.

It was also no surprise that Messi was the scorer. Despite some ponderous passing, Barca have always been able to turn to the little genius to conjure openings. The likes of Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez couldn’t capitalise on the chances he created but he made no mistake from Jordi Alba’s square ball, chipping Yassine Bounou for the second.

It won’t be the last time this season an ordinary Barca side look to Messi for inspiration. Still, they’re five points clear at the top of La Liga.

GIRONA HARD DONE BY

Amid the criticism of Barca’s performance, it’s important to credit Girona for their efforts which ultimately went unrewarded. Despite going behind early, they stuck to their game plan, pressing the away side high up the pitch and whipping in crosses at every opportunity.

Barcelona were predictably vulnerable to the aerial assault and the hosts may have had a penalty in the 13th minute when Alba’s subtle tug on Cristhian Stuani’s shirt kept the striker from meeting Valery Fernandez’s cross towards the far post.

A minute later, Pedro Alcala rose highest to head an in-swinging free-kick towards goal but the onrushing Marc-Andre ter Stegen got in the way. Replays showed that the ball took a touch of Gerard Pique’s hand before the keeper’s intervention.

The German custodian went on to make some big saves, especially against Stuani to keep Girona at bay while Pique cleared Pere Pons’ effort off the line.

The hosts certainly weren’t getting the rub of the green and that theme continued when Espinosa saw red early in the second half. Girona still had a couple of good openings to equalise but Messi’s goal eventually killed off the game.

MIDFIELD MAKE-UP

Following the recent signing of Ajax prodigy Frenkie de Jong, Barca’s current midfielders have come under scrutiny. Coutinho’s poor form means he’s been linked with a move away and though he had chances to argue his case at Girona, he failed to take them.

Twice the Brazilian went one-on-one with Bounou and came up short. His decision-making was that of a player struggling for confidence. What’s worse though is he did precious little aside from those wasted opportunities.

Even Arturo Vidal was a big disappointment while Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic were average at best. It took the second-half arrival of Arthur and his usual shades of Xavi to inject some life into Barca’s game in possession and coax more out of Messi.

De Jong’s arrival in the summer will only help their cause but how many of the current crop should depart?