Girona go back up
Surprise package return to second as atletico’s woes continue
Girona returned to winning ways by beating Osasuna 2-0 on Saturday to move back into second place in La Liga, as Atletico Madrid ceded further ground on the top three with a shock defeat at Cadiz.
A goal inside the opening 15 minutes from Cristian Portu and a late Savinho strike allowed Girona to leapfrog Barcelona back into second spot.
“Getting the three points at home is the most important thing to be at the top,” said defender Yan Couto.
“Thanks to the fans for their support.”
Girona dominated the early exchanges against their 10th-placed
opponents and were rewarded with just 13 minutes on the clock.
A clever slide-rule pass by Viktor Tsygankov set Portu free in the box and the Spaniard’s unerring first-time finish set Girona on their way.
Tsygankov nearly got a second assist three minutes after the break but his compatriot Artem Dovbyk could not supply the finish inside the box.
Daley Blind came close to doubling Girona’s lead just shy of the hour mark but his 12-yeard strike was well blocked by the Osasuna defence.
Savinho then struck in the 85th minute but the goal was disallowed
for a foul committed by a teammate.
However, the disappointment was short-lived for the Brazilian when he again netted two minutes later and this time it stood.
Miguel Gutierrez fed Aleix Garcia, whose backheel fell perfectly to the oncoming Savinho and he stabbed home a left-footed finish to put the game beyond Osasuna.
Atletico Madrid were shocked by lowly Cadiz as Diego Simeone’s men sank to a 2-0 defeat on the south coast.
A brace either side of half-time from loanee Juanmi secured an invaluable three points for the 18th-placed Andalusian side and condemned Atletico to a seventh defeat this term.
“The team started well, with enthusiasm and the desire to generate good things, but in the first dangerous situation, Cadiz found the goal and another different game was presented,” said Atletico coach Simeone. — AFP