Nelson Semedo's first LaLiga goal and Lionel Messi's 402nd in the competition ensured Barcelona saw off a stern challenge from Girona.
Lionel Messi returned to crown Barcelona's 2-0 win over 10-man Girona – re-establishing the champions' five-point lead at LaLiga's summit.
Portugal right-back Nelson Semedo struck after nine minutes at Estadi Montilivi but, four days on from a 2-0 loss to Sevilla in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final, Ernesto Valverde's side were far from their fluent best.
Indeed, immediately after Bernardo Espinosa's red card for two bookable offences early in the second half, Girona continued to create the better chances and Barca were indebted to the heroics of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.