BILBAO: Girona’s ambitious quest for the La Liga championship faced yet another setback as they suffered a 3-2 defeat against Athletic Bilbao. Despite sitting in second place, the Catalan team missed a chance to narrow the gap with league leaders Real Madrid, as Athletic Bilbao’s Alex Berenguer delivered a stellar performance, scoring two crucial goals.
The match at San Mames unfolded as a rollercoaster of emotions, with Girona seeking to take advantage of Real Madrid’s draw against Rayo Vallecano. However, Berenguer’s early goal, followed by Inaki Williams’ clinical finish, left Girona trailing by six points behind the frontrunners.
Girona’s recent struggles persisted, having failed to secure a victory in their last three league encounters, including a significant 4-0 loss to Real Madrid. Despite Viktor Tsygankov’s attempt to equalize in the second half, Berenguer swiftly responded with his second goal, exploiting defensive vulnerabilities.
Acknowledging the team’s shortcomings, Girona’s coach, Michel Sanchez, remarked, “We lacked determination in the final third… We have to keep fighting to maintain our position.”
Despite Eric Garcia’s late header offering a glimmer of hope, Athletic Bilbao’s solid defense, notably a crucial clearance by Dani Vivian, prevented Girona from salvaging a point.
Following the defeat, Garcia emphasized the team’s commitment to their Champions League aspirations. “Our objective has always been to reach the Champions League, and we’re still on track,” Garcia affirmed.
With only a two-point lead over Barcelona and seven ahead of fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao, Girona’s second-place standing is now in jeopardy.
As the La Liga title race heats up, Girona faces mounting competition from both ends, underscoring the unpredictable nature of football and the hurdles teams encounter in their pursuit of glory.
