Barcelona reclaimed the second place in La Liga with a 2-0 home win over Real Sociedad on Monday, courtesy a Lamine Yamal first-half strike and a late Raphinha penalty.
Xavi Hernandez’s side leapfrogged Girona to move on to 76 points, one clear of their Catalan rivals who dropped points in Friday’s 2-2 draw at Alaves.
Real Madrid have already secured the league title, sitting on 90 points with three games left.
“There is still a long way to go. It will be a battle to the end. Girona are very strong,” Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez told Movistar.
“It’s in our hands now. I think the team is very good. Three valuable points. We had some mistakes in the first half. In the second half I think we could have finished it off earlier.”
Yamal put Barcelona ahead in the 40th minute when he coolly slotted home from Ilkay Gundogan’s pass after a quick breakaway for his fifth LaLiga goal this season.
“It was an important game to regain second place and we have to try to make it a nine-point week,” the 16-year-old Yamal said referring to the upcoming games.
Raphinha’s penalty in stoppage time sealed victory for the hosts after a VAR review for handball.