Sunday night proved to be a forgettable one for FC Barcelona as they were condemned to a harsh 2-4 defeat by Catalan rivals Girona in a contest that had many implications.

For one, it provided Barça with an opportunity to prove they were still the best team in Catalonia despite their indifferent form this season. A win would also have seen them cut down the gap at the top of the standings.

But it was not to be as Xavi Hernandez’s men succumbed to a 2-4 defeat, with Robert Lewandowski and Ilkay Gundogan scoring for Barça while Artem Dovbyk, Miguel Gutierrez, Valery Fernandez, and Cristhian Stuani were on target for Girona.

Barcelona did not have problems creating any chances on the night, but it was their finishing that let them down, while Girona were clinical in front of goal.

Indeed, Barcelona had an xG of 4.12 and scored two goals, whereas Girona had an xG of 2.47 and scored four goals.

The Catalans attempted 31 shots on the night, of which 11 were on target. Barcelona’s tally of 11 shots on target vs Girona is their highest home record in a La Liga home game they lost in the competition since December 2003 against Real Madrid (13, score: 1-2).

Defensively, it was a disappointing display from the Blaugrana as they once again conceded first on the night and let in two before half-time.

It meant that Barcelona have conceded at least two goals in the first-half in four La Liga games this season, their third-highest all-time record in the first halves of the same competition campaign in the 21st century (5 times in 2000/01 and 2018/19).

Furthermore, this was the first time that Barcelona conceded four goals at home in La Liga since the 3-4 loss against Betis in 2018.

Lewandowski was on target for Barça in the first period, scoring his first goal in over a month. However, he missed a gilt-edged chance late in the game to make it 3-3, sending a headed effort wide.

In a surprising bit of stat, Lewandowski has now missed 12 big chances in La Liga this season, the most in the league.