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Girona lost an away encounter against Athletic Bilbao, falling six points behind Real Madrid in the title race.
Athletic Bilbao inflicted a big blow to Girona’s La Liga title chances on Monday with a thrilling seventh straight home win of 3-2, securing themselves a spot in the top four. Meanwhile, the second-ranked visitors behind leaders Real Madrid have gone three games without a win in the league, failing to close the six-point gap in this thrilling match at the San Mames Stadium.
After Berenguer put Athletic ahead, Viktor Tsygankov equalized for Girona. However, Berenguer and Inaki Williams scored swiftly for the hosts, and despite Eric Garcia’s goal, Girona was unable to equalize.
“We missed a bit of drive in the last third… “I think the second half was good,” said Girona coach Michel Sanchez, who watched from a box due to a touchline suspension. “We have to continue, we can’t ask the team to always win and we have to keep fighting to stay up there.”
Athletic seized the lead after two minutes when Girona’s Aleix Garcia fired a dangerous pass over his own area. Berenguer intercepted and blasted home inside the near post, surprising Paulo Gazzaniga. Girona lacked their customary zip, still stinging after Real Madrid’s 4-0 humiliation the previous weekend. The Catalans leveled at the start of the second half when Tsygankov converted Ivan Martin’s cross.
Girona ‘failed’ to secure their La Liga hat-trick unbeaten streak at an away clash with ‘The Basques’
The White and Reds did not keep the score level for long, as Berenguer scored his second after another Girona error. Miguel Gutierrez dallied on the ball, and Gorka Guruzeta snatched him, crossing for Berenguer to score. Girona’s defense was at sea as Inaki Williams scored Athletic’s third goal. Eric Garcia headed home from Aleix Garcia’s cross, giving Girona a chance to save a point. They almost did in stoppage time, but Athletic defender Dani Vivian superbly cleared John Solis’ attempt off the line.
