Despite going winless in two consecutive games, Barcelona managed not to lose at home to Girona on Monday as they went 13 points clear of second-place Real Madrid on the La Liga table with a goalless draw at Camp Nou.

Xavi’s side are inching closer to the La Liga title with ten fixtures left in the season and with no cup distraction, having been knocked out of the Copa Del Rey and European competitions earlier in the season.

The game was Barcelona’s first game since their 4-0 second-leg loss to Real Madrid in the semi-final of Copa Del Rey last Wednesday; aside from losing the opportunity of keeping their chances of winning a Spanish double, no real damage was done to Barcelona La Liga title chances with their goalless draw result on Monday.

In fact, Real Madrid’s shock 3-2 loss to Villarreal at the weekend gave Barcelona the opportunity to relax. However, early exchanges from the game indicated that Barcelona were not ready to relax as they got the game’s first opportunity through Robert Lewandowski, who benefited from Girona’s defensive mistake but failed to score.

Girona had chances of their own too, but none could trouble or get past Marc Andre Ter-Stegen, who has only conceded nine times this season.

The second half also saw Barcelona dominate but failed to score early on; the final minutes would have been a great time for a win for the Blaugrana, but Lewandowski and Gavi were both denied.

Barcelona are still unbeaten at home in La Liga this season, with 13 points clear of Real Madrid and ten La Liga games to go. Girona remains in 11th with 35 points from 28 games; they are now unbeaten in three and face Girona next. Barcelona travel to Getafe in their next fixture.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu