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• Player Ratings: Yamal and Ferran disappoint as Barcelona lose top spot in Girona

  Despite a Pau Cubarsi header and a high-energy return for Raphinha, Barcelona fell to a 2-1 defeat as Girona’s late surge and Lamine Yamal’s penalty miss proved decisive. Barcelona traveled to the Estadi Montilivi on Monday night seeking redemption following their recent Copa del Rey exit. While Hansi Flick’s side controlled the tempo during the opening half, they were ultimately undone by a resurgent Girona side that capitalized on defensive lapses to secure a 2-1 victory. The result marks a second consecutive defeat for the Blaugrana, raising urgent concerns about the team’s consistency as the title race intensifies. ​Joan Garcia: 7 The shot-stopper redeemed himself after a difficult midweek performance with a series of vital interventions. His distribution was composed, and he kept the visitors alive with a spectacular triple save in the 71st minute, though he was left unprotected for Girona’s late winning strike. ​Gerard Martin: 6.5 Filling in for Alejandro Balde, the young left-back provided a reliable defensive presence. While he offered limited overlapping threat in the final third, his positioning was disciplined, highlighted by a crucial goal-saving challenge in the 53rd minute that prevented a certain breakaway. ​Pau Cubarsi: 6 It was a night of extreme highs and lows for the teenage center-back. He initially put Barcelona ahead with a perfectly directed header from a set-piece, but his evening soured when a weak clearance allowed Girona to equalize. His defensive stability fluctuated significantly as the match wore on. ​Eric Garcia: 5 The academy product started the match with poise, maintaining a high line and working well in tandem with Cubarsi to catch Girona offside. However, his performance dipped sharply in the second half, where he struggled to track runners and looked increasingly vulnerable under pressure. ​Jules Kounde: 5 While the Frenchman provided the pinpoint cross for Barcelona’s only goal, he struggled in his primary defensive duties. He was caught out of position for the equalizer and failed to prevent the delivery into the box, marking an inconsistent outing for the right-back. ​Frenkie de Jong: 6 Wearing the captain’s armband in Pedri’s absence, the Dutchman was the primary engine in midfield during the first hour. He effectively dictated the rhythm and broke up several counters, but his physical intensity waned late in the game, allowing Girona to seize control of the center. ​Dani Olmo: 7 One of the most creative sparks for the visitors, Olmo consistently found pockets of space between the lines. He won a penalty through clever movement just before the interval, and while the chance was squandered, his overall vision remained a bright spot in a disjointed attack. ​Fermin Lopez: 6.5 The energetic midfielder worked tirelessly to link the play and penetrate the box with late runs. While his passing through the lines was productive and helped sustain pressure in the first half, he lacked the clinical edge required to convert his movements into clear-cut scoring chances. ​Lamine Yamal: 6 A frustrating night for the teenage star, who displayed flashes of brilliance but lacked a finishing touch. After a stunning individual dribble, he missed a clear one-on-one opportunity and later saw his penalty kick strike the woodwork, leaving him unable to change the game’s trajectory. ​Raphinha: 7.5 Returning directly into the starting lineup from injury, the Brazilian was comfortably Barcelona’s most industrious player. He led the high press with relentless energy and forced several saves from the Girona keeper, proving to be the most consistent threat in Flick’s offensive unit. ​Ferran Torres: 5 Operating as the central striker, Torres struggled to exert any meaningful influence on the contest. He was largely isolated from the team’s buildup play and failed to register any significant shots on target, acting as a passenger for much of the evening before being substituted.

• Diego Simeone and Jan Oblak clash after Atletico Madrid loss to Rayo Vallecano

  Internal friction has surfaced at Atletico Madrid as goalkeeper Jan Oblak publicly criticized the team’s performance following a 3-0 loss to Rayo Vallecano, prompting a direct disagreement from manager Diego Simeone.

  ​Atletico Madrid’s La Liga title hopes suffered a devastating blow following a 3-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano at Butarque.

  The loss leaves Los Colchoneros 15 points adrift of leaders Real Madrid. Captain Jan Oblak was visibly furious after the final whistle, suggesting the squad lacks the mental consistency required to compete.

  Oblak stated, “It seems that La Liga has been thrown away.”

  ​Manager Diego Simeone quickly moved to downplay the goalkeeper’s scathing assessment during his post-match press conference.

  Despite the heavy defeat and lackluster performance, the coach defended his players’ application ahead of their Champions League fixture.

  Simeone pointedly countered his captain’s view of the squad’s effort, telling the media, “I don’t agree with what Oblak said. I think the team gave what it could.”

• Barcelona express concerns over Referee appointment for Girona clash

  Barcelona officials and supporters have expressed significant concern following the appointment of César Soto Grado to officiate Monday’s high-stakes Catalan Derby against Girona at the Estadi Montilivi.

  ​Barcelona has voiced official concern regarding the appointment of César Soto Grado as the referee for Monday’s critical La Liga clash with Girona.

  The decision comes at a delicate time for the Blaugrana, who were recently overtaken at the league summit by Real Madrid.

  The club’s history with Soto Grado is fraught with tension, as his officiating has frequently sparked accusations of institutional bias.

  ​Under Soto Grado’s watch, Barcelona has struggled to maintain consistency, securing only seven wins alongside six defeats and three draws in their last sixteen matches.

  Notably, fourteen of those fixtures were played away from home, heightening fears of a disadvantageous environment at Montilivi.

  As the reigning champions fight to reclaim their lead, many within the club remain wary, noting that “Barca have long drawn issue with the standard of Soto Grado’s officiating.”

• Trent Alexander-Arnold’s impressive return draws praises

  Trent Alexander-Arnold made an immediate impact in his first start for Real Madrid in over two months, assisting the opener in a 4-1 win that bolsters their La Liga title pursuit.

  Trent Alexander-Arnold marked a triumphant return to Real Madrid’s starting lineup, providing a crucial assist in a dominant 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad.

  After 73 days sidelined by injury, the England international took just five minutes to set up Gonzalo García’s opening goal.

  The performance propelled Los Blancos to their eighth consecutive league win, signaling a major boost for the club’s creative department.

  Manager Álvaro Arbeloa praised the defender’s tactical versatility following the match, stating: “He understands the game very well and quickly grasps what we want from him and where we can make the most of his abilities.”

  With Alexander-Arnold back, Madrid looks to close the gap on Barcelona. The fullback celebrated his return on social media, simply captioning his post with the message, “Good to be back.”

• Pep Guardiola ramps up Arsenal mind games with five-word warning to Mikel Arteta

  Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has heightened the Premier League title race tension by warning Mikel Arteta that he would remain anxious even if he held Arsenal’s current points advantage.

  ​Pep Guardiola has ramped up the psychological pressure on Arsenal following the Gunners’ 1-1 draw with Brentford.

  With Manchester City now trailing the league leaders by just three points, the Spaniard delivered a pointed five-word warning to Mikel Arteta: “I would not be relaxed.”

  Guardiola noted that despite Arsenal’s lead, the pressure of a title race makes it impossible to feel comfortable with twenty games remaining.

  ​Arteta responded by urging his squad to maintain their composure and focus on raising their collective levels.

  Arsenal, who are currently chasing a potential quadruple, face Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup this weekend to regain momentum.

  Meanwhile, Guardiola reiterated his preference for the Gunners’ position over his own, stating, “I would prefer to be in the position Arsenal are in than in our position.”