Girona’s Cristhian Stuani scores their fourth purpose
| Photo Credit: Reuters
High-flying Girona reclaimed prime spot in LaLiga after beating champions Barcelona 4-2 away on Sunday, condemning Xavi Hernandez’s aspect to their second league defeat of the season.
Artem Dovbyk and Miguel Gutierrez each scored for Girona within the first half, both aspect of Robert Lewandowski’s equaliser, earlier than Girona’s Valery Fernandez and Cristhian Stuani added two extra targets after the break with Ilkay Gundogan netting one other for Barca.
Girona, who stay unbeaten away from house in LaLiga this season, prime the standings with 41 factors from 16 video games, having leapfrogged Real Madrid on 39 factors after Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect have been held to a 1-1 draw by Real Betis on Saturday.
Barcelona, whose solely earlier defeat this season was to Real on the finish of October, are fourth on 34 factors, degree with third-placed Atletico Madrid who’ve a recreation in hand.
“Girona have a lot of merit in what they are doing. They are in the lead, even more so today. They’ve got seven points more than us and that’s well deserved,” Xavi stated.
“It was an even game. If Barca won, we would also say it’s fair. I think we shot 31 times. Maybe the errors in defence have taken their toll on us.”
Barcelona had 31 makes an attempt within the recreation, 11 of them on the right track, however Girona keeper Paulo Gazzaniga pulled off a string of saves whereas on the different finish they scored with 4 out of their seven photographs on the right track.
Dovbyk put Girona in entrance within the twelfth minute with a shot that bounced in off the underside of the publish for his eighth purpose in his debut LaLiga season.
Lewandowski rediscovered his goal-scoring type and equalised for the hosts seven minutes later, heading house following a nook.
It was the Poland striker’s first purpose for Barca in almost a month, following his brace in opposition to Alaves on Nov. 12.
Gutierrez restored Girona’s lead earlier than halftime, after the defender broke into the field and scored with a person effort, and Fernandez made it 3-1 within the eightieth minute with a low shot two minutes after coming off the bench.
Gundogan pulled one other purpose again for Barca earlier than Girona’s Stuani scored their fourth in stoppage time.
“This Girona side have a soul and believe they can hurt their opponents,” coach Michel stated.
“We knew that (Barca) were going to press hard but if we were able to make the first two passes, we would stand a chance.”
Barcelona, who on Wednesday journey to Royal Antwerp within the Champions League, subsequent go to mid-table Valencia within the league on Saturday. Girona host twelfth positioned Alaves on Dec. 18.
