Shock Spanish title contenders Girona earned a historic 4-2 win over rivals Barcelona on Sunday to maneuver prime 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 degree, Miguel Gutierrez slammed residence once more for the guests.
Valery Fernandez prolonged Girona’s lead with 10 minutes remaining, earlier than Ilkay Gundogan netted to arrange a frantic finale.
Veteran striker Cristhian Stuani struck from shut vary in stoppage time to wrap up a shocking victory which reaffirms the minnows’ title dream.
“We’re enjoying the moment, we’re in a hugely positive dynamic,” Michel instructed reporters.
“I don’t know if we have the ability to win La Liga, but we are able to beat any opponent.”
Defeat leaves Barcelona’s title defence badly dented.
“They deserved it, they’ve got a lot of merit, they’re seven points ahead of us,” Xavi instructed DAZN.
“We want to cut down the gap, this is our reality — this is a Barca under construction, although they have criticised me for (saying) it.
“You take one step back to be able to take two steps forwards.”
Girona, half-owned by the City Football Group, had 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 under the fourth season of their historical past, they performed with none concern of their extra illustrious neighbours and took the lead early on as the sport see-sawed deliciously from finish to finish.
The guests break up the 27-time champions open with a deadly counter-assault, with Ukrainian winger Viktor Tsygankov feeding his compatriot Dovbyk to slam residence within the twelfth minute.
Unperturbed, Barcelona levelled rapidly by way of Lewandowski, with the 35-yr-previous heading residence Raphinha’s nook to finish a run of three matches with no objective.
– End-to-finish –
Former Real Madrid left-again Gutierrez, no stranger to an journey upfield, drove into the field and cracked an early strike into the close to prime nook 5 minutes earlier than the break.
Barcelona tried to drive 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 hopes with 10 minutes to go when Stuani headed the ball into his path, and he beat Jules Kounde with ease earlier than firing residence.
However Gundogan turned properly within the field and lashed previous Gazzaniga to offer the hosts an opportunity to grab a draw. Lewandowski might need levelled however headed vast when properly-positioned.
Stuani bundled residence on the dying to finish a sensational evening for Girona, with a number of of their gamers leaping the promoting hoardings and working in 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 now they’re real title contenders this season.
Barcelona’s title defence, 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 instructed DAZN.
“There’s time, but we have a lot to come back from.”
Earlier Diego Simeone’s Atletico took an early two-objective lead by way of 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 drag degree 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, with the match subsequently deserted.
Inaki Williams had despatched the Basques forward and they’re going to resume play with the lead on Monday evening from 17 minutes.
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)
