Giant-Killers! Girona stun Xavi's Barcelona to go top of LaLiga

Giant-Killers! Girona stun Xavi's Barcelona to go top of LaLiga

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 23:07 - 10.12.2023

Girona defeated a disappointing Barcelona side to return to the top of the table as they prevailed 4-2 at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

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The hosts enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening stages, but it was LaLiga's fairytale side Girona who struck first, with Viktor Tsyhankov setting up Ukrainian compatriot Artem Dovbyk, who tapped in via the post. 

Barcelona equalised almost immediately as Raphinha swung in a corner for Robert Lewandowski to head home. 

After that, however, Girona had numerous chances to restore their advantage. 

Miguel Gutiérrez was the main danger, and shot narrowly wide before having an effort tipped behind by Iñaki Peña, who had come into the starting XI for the injured Marc-André ter Stegen. 

At the beginning of the second half, Barcelona took the game to their opponents, as Gazzaniga kept out Frenkie De Jong’s shot from 25 yards, before the Argentinian palmed Jules Koundé header away and Ronald Araújo nodded over.

 However, as they failed to get back on level terms, the home team’s heads dropped, allowing Girona to regain some composure and regroup. 

They began to cause problems on the counterattack, and ultimately doubled their lead through substitute Valery Fernández who, after getting slightly fortunate to get past Koundé, slotted into the bottom corner.

 İlkay Gündoğan did pull one back in injury time with a shot on the turn, but Cristhian Stuani’s back-post strike at the death secured the famous win.

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