Spanish title contenders Girona earned a historic 4-2 win over rivals Barcelona on Sunday to maneuver to the highest of La Liga, with coach Michel saying he believes his group can beat any opponent.
Girona defeated their Catalan rivals for the primary time ever within the prime flight in a pulsating battle to rise two factors above Real Madrid, second, after their 1-1 draw at Real Betis on Saturday.
Champions Barcelona are fourth after Atletico Madrid, third, beat Almeria earlier on, and Xavi’s aspect path Girona by seven factors.
Artem Dovbyk despatched Girona forward and after Robert Lewandowski pulled Barcelona stage, Miguel Gutierrez slammed house once more for the guests.
Valery Fernandez prolonged Girona’s lead with 10 minutes remaining earlier than Ilkay Gündoğan netted to arrange a frantic finale.
Veteran striker Cristhian Stuani struck from shut vary in stoppage time to wrap up a surprising victory that reaffirmed the minnows’ title dream.
“We’re enjoying the moment, we’re in a hugely positive dynamic,” Michel informed reporters.
“I don’t know if we have the ability to win La Liga, but we are able to beat any opponent.”
The defeat leaves Barcelona’s title protection badly dented.
“They deserved it, they’ve got a lot of merit, they’re seven points ahead of us,” Xavi informed DAZN.
“We wish to lower down the hole; that is our actuality – this can be a Barca below building, though they’ve criticized me for (saying) it.
“You take one step back to be able to take two steps forward.”
Girona, part-owned by the City Football Group, have been with out injured key midfielder Yangel Herrera, whom they signed from Manchester City, however didn’t let it set them again.
In La Liga, for less than the fourth season of their historical past, they performed with none concern of their extra illustrious neighbors and took the lead early on as the sport see-sawed deliciously from finish to finish.
The guests cut up the 27-time champions open with a deadly counter-attack, with Ukrainian winger Viktor Tsygankov feeding his compatriot Dovbyk to slam house within the twelfth minute.
Unperturbed, Barcelona leveled shortly via Lewandowski, with the 35-year-old heading house Raphinha’s nook to finish a run of three matches with no objective.
End-to-end
Barcelona tried to power their manner again in, with Paulo Gazzaniga saving Frenkie de Jong’s low effort and Raphinha sending a free-kick over the bar.
Valery appeared to finish Barca’s hopes with 10 minutes to go when Stuani headed the ball into his path, and he beat Jules Kounde with ease earlier than firing house.
However, Gündoğan turned properly within the field and lashed previous Gazzaniga to provide the hosts an opportunity to grab a draw. Lewandowski might need leveled however headed extensive when well-placed.
Stuani bundled house on the demise to finish a sensational night time for Girona, with a number of gamers leaping the promoting hoardings and working in the direction of their followers in celebration.
Michel stated beforehand {that a} win would ship his group into a brand new dimension, and there might be little doubt that they’re real title contenders this season.
Barcelona’s title protection, nevertheless, is on the ropes.
“We’re seven points behind, which is a lot, but there’s more than half a season to go,” De Jong informed DAZN.
“There’s time, but we have a lot to come back from.”
Earlier, Diego Simeone’s Atletico took an early two-goal lead via Alvaro Morata and Angel Correa, however Leo Baptistao pulled Almeria into the sport after an hour.
Atletico held on for the victory because the Andalucian strugglers threatened to tug stage on the Metropolitano.
“They pressed us in the second half, we couldn’t find solutions and it was hard for us,” Atletico ahead Antoine Griezmann admitted to Movistar.
Athletic Bilbao’s go to to Granada was stopped within the 18th minute as a result of a fan died within the stands, and the match was subsequently deserted.
Inaki Williams had despatched the Basques forward and they’ll resume play with the lead on Monday night time from 17 minutes.
Source: www.dailysabah.com