Girona 4-2 Barcelona (10 Dec, 2023) Game Analysis،
High-flying Girona regained top spot in La Liga after beating champions Barcelona 4-2 away on Sunday, condemning Xavi Hernandez's side to their second league defeat of the season.
Artem Dovbyk put Girona ahead in the 12th minute with a shot that bounced off the bottom of the post before Robert Lewandowski equalized for the hosts seven minutes later, heading home from a corner.
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Girona, who remain unbeaten away from home in La Liga this season, top the table with 41 points from 16 games, having moved ahead of Real Madrid on 39 points after Carlo Ancelotti's side were held to a 1-1 draw. 1 by Real Betis on Saturday.
Barcelona, whose only defeat this season was against Madrid in late October, are fourth with 34 points, tied with third-place Atletico Madrid, who have a game in hand.
“Girona have a lot of credit for what they do. They are in the lead, even more so today. They are seven points more than us and it is well deserved,” said Xavi.
“It was a balanced game. If Barca won, we would also say it was fair. I think we had 31 shots. Maybe the defensive mistakes took their toll on us.”
Barcelona had 31 attempts in the match, 11 of which were on target, but Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga made a series of saves while at the other end of the pitch they scored with four of their seven shots on target.
Dovbyk put Girona ahead in the 12th minute with a shot that bounced off the bottom of the post for his eighth goal in his first La Liga season.
Lewandowski regained his goal-scoring form and equalized for the hosts seven minutes later, heading home from a corner.
It was the Polish striker's first goal for Barca in almost a month, following his brace against Alaves on November 12.
Gutierrez restored Girona's lead before halftime, after the defender entered the box and scored with an individual effort, and Fernandez made it 3-1 in the 80th minute with a low two-goal shot. minutes after leaving the bench.
Gundogan scored another goal for Barca before Girona's Stuani scored his fourth in added time.
“This Girona team has soul and believes it can hurt its opponents,” said coach Michel.
“We knew that [Barca] We were going to press hard but if we were able to make the first two passes we would have a chance.”
Barcelona, who travel to Royal Antwerp in the Champions League on Wednesday, then travel to mid-table Valencia on Saturday. Girona will host 12th-placed Alaves on December 18.
