Barcelona vs Girona score, result, and Lineups ,Pedri goal earns a 1-0 win for La Liga leaders

Barcelona narrowly defeated Girona 1-0 to increase their advantage atop the La Liga standings to six points before Sunday's game against Real Madrid, who are now in second position.Barcelona just needed a Pedri goal in the second half, but it required some frantic defence in the closing 15 minutes as Girona sent players forward in quest of an equaliser.Barcelona was able to earn all three points thanks to a Ronald Araujo clearance near the goal line, two outstanding stops by Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and an egregious error by Girona's Ivan Martin.Without their top forward Robert Lewandowski, who was out playing the third game of a three-game suspension, Barcelona won their third consecutive encounter 1-0. Ansu Fati filled in for Ferran Torres, who was suspended for the Blaugrana, as the centre striker.On a chilly night in Girona, Barcelona's situation became much more complicated due to an injury to Ousmane Dembele in the first half. However, his substitute, Pedri, finished a trademark Barcelona passing move at the far post to give his club a lead they would not lose.Barcelona resumes a crucial three-games-in-eight-days period in La Liga action with a trip to Real Betis on Wednesday and a home game against Sevilla on Sunday. Lewandowski will be available for both games.

Barcelona vs. Girona  final score:

Goals: 

61st minute, BAR, PPedri (Jordi Alba).

Barcelona struggles to win games.Barcelona has used it frequently this year. When they are in the lead, they struggle to maintain their offensive ferocity and ultimately allow the opposition to into the game. In the Copa del Rey quarterfinal on Wednesday against Real Sociedad, the identical scenario played out. Although Barcelona may be at the top of the standings and have only allowed six goals in 18 league games, you can't help but sense that they are still a fragile team.

Barcelona vs. Girona lineups

Santi Bueno, a centre back for Girona, is suspended, therefore manager Michel will be without one of his top defenders. In addition, instead of using the more attack-minded Ivan Martin or Toni Villa, who are both on the bench, he chooses to play Yan Couto, a right-back, at right flank. Reinier, a forward from Brazil, Ibrahima Kebe, a defensive midfielder, and David Lopez, a centre back, all still out with injuries.

Starting lineup for Girona (4-5-1, from left to right): 13-year-old 4-year-old Paulo Gazzaniga (GK) Martinez, Arnau, Aleix Garcia, Bernardo Espinosa, Miguel Gutierrez, 20-Yan Couto, 15-Juanpe, 2-Bernardo Espinosa, 3-Miguel Gutierrez, 21-Yangell Herrera, and 17-Rodrigo Riquelme Trentin "Taty" Castellanos, number nine.

12 substitutes for Girona: Juan Carlos (GK), The 26-Toni Fuidias (GK), Javi Hernandez (16), Alexis Callens, number 25, BIEEL FARRES, Twelve Toni Villa, Borja Garcia, 24 Stuani, Cristian 7 — 23 Ivan Martin Victor Tsygankov, 11, Valerie Fernandez, 8, and Joel Roca, 33Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski are both unavailable for Barcelona as they complete their individual bans. In their place, teenage academy player Angel Alarcon was selected for the team. Pedri will not start against Girona despite being in the lineup after suffering a knee injury in the midweek Copa del Rey game.

Starting lineup for Barcelona (4-3-3): 1 Marc-Andre ter Stegen (GK)—23 Julius Kounde, 4 Ronaldo, Marcos Alonso, 17, Eric Garcia, 30, Gavi Sergio Busquets, No. 5; Frenkie De Jong, No. 21; Ousmane Dembele, No. 7; Ansu Fati, No. 10; and Raphinha, No. 22

Substitutions for Barcelona (11): 13 (Inaki Pena, GK), 31 (Ander Astralaga, GK), two Hector Bellerin Twenty-Sergi Roberto, 18 — Jordi Alba Andreas Christensen (15), Antoine Balde, Franz Kessie, 8-Pedri, Pablo Torre, 32, and Angel Alarcon, 38

Barcelona vs. Girona live stream, TV station

Girona will play in front of a packed house at the Estadio Municipal Montilivi, where they have only lost two of their nine games this year (vs. Celta Vigo and Real Sociedad). The team has not lost at home since October 2.Barcelona has only made three trips to the stadium, winning on each of their first two outings.

UK: Only La Liga TV will have access to the game.

USA: ESPN Deportes, which is accessible on fuboTV, will broadcast the match between Girona and Barcelona. ESPN+ will also stream it in both English and Spanish.

Canada: The television and streaming rights to La Liga are held by TSN. The Girona vs. Barcelona game will be broadcast on TSN4 and streamed online on TSN.

Australia: On Optus Sport, fans can watch all La Liga games live and on demand.