Girona 4-3 Atlético Madrid (3 Jan, 2024) Game Analysis،
Ivan Martin's stoppage-time goal earned Girona a dramatic 4-3 home win over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, keeping them level on points with Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.
Atletico striker Alvaro Morata had scored a hat-trick as they came back from 3-1 down, but Martin showed superb close control before firing into the top corner to snatch all three points and keep the lead superb start to the Girona season.
Girona coach Michel described the victory as “historic” but dampened any rumors of a La Liga victory this season despite his side's mid-season success following a first-ever victory against Atleti.
“That’s not the goal. [winning LaLiga]”First think game by game and try to reach Europe, which would mark the history of this club. Today, a very good match, very difficult, did a lot of good. Atletico too, a great match. My players have an incredible mentality: resilience in bad times, always giving everything to advance the match.
“For me, the success of these players is this. Our dream is to make Europe, but we cannot fight head to head with Real Madrid. Having the level of points of the big teams is very difficult.
Despite his coach's realistic assessment of the rest of the season, Girona's surprise package moved to 48 points, behind Real, who beat Mallorca 1-0 earlier on Wednesday, on goal difference. Atletico Madrid remains third with 38 points.
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“We lost a match, we lost points and now we have to think about what will happen,” Morata told Movistar. It's football. We lost, everything else doesn't matter. We need to raise our heads, rest, the Cup and the Super Cup are coming and we don't have much time to think about it .”
Girona opened the scoring two minutes into the game with Valery Fernandez curling in a superb shot from the edge of the area before Atletico equalized through Morata in the 14th minute.
Girona's high pressing paid off as they stole the ball from Atletico's Koke before Savio scored on the second attempt to make it 2-1 in the 26th minute.
Dutch defender Daley Blind extended the hosts' lead in the 39th minute with a tap-in before Morata pulled one back for Atletico with a fine solo run in the final minute of the first half.
Morata got his third in the 53rd minute, shooting from inside the area to equalize again, but Martin sealed Girona's victory with a brilliant strike.
“I was lucky to score this goal. It's no coincidence, we've been doing a great job since we were in the second division,” Martin said. “I'm happy to play the way I do. European football is there for us, but we have to continue.”
Girona and Atletico begin their Spanish Cup campaigns on Saturday against Elche and Lugo, respectively.
