Girona’s midfielder Fran Beltran celebrates scoring his crew’s second purpose towards Barcelona within the thrilling derby conflict on Monday. Picture: AFP
GIRONA:
Spanish champions Barcelona fell to a dangerous 2-1 defeat at Girona on Monday to go away them trailing Actual Madrid by two factors on the high of La Liga.
Los Blancos beat Actual Sociedad on Saturday to overhaul the Catalans and Hansi Flick’s aspect couldn’t defeat Girona in an gripping derby conflict to reclaim the lead.
Teenage star Lamine Yamal missed a penalty for Barcelona, who took the lead by means of defender Pau Cubarsi simply earlier than the hour mark.
Nevertheless targets from Thomas Lemar and Fran Beltran helped Girona, twelfth, mount a powerful comeback.
“In the long run Girona deserved it, that they had quite a lot of possibilities, we defended very badly,” admitted Flick.
“We aren’t in a very good temper, not in a very good second, I gave the crew two days off as a result of I believe it is essential they reset.
“There is a good distance (to go), we’re now in second, now we’ve got to struggle for first place within the desk.”
Barca had been nonetheless licking their wounds after a heavy 4-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid within the Copa del Rey first-leg semi-final final week, and this defeat made issues even worse.
“We’ve to enhance as a result of they cannot rating these two targets towards us,” Cubarsi informed DAZN.
“We’ve to be self-critical, we did not play an ideal sport, we’ve got to enhance, however now we’ve got to relaxation and cost our batteries.”
Either side had been attacking with abandon in a really open first half and it was exceptional they went in goalless on the break.
Raphinha whipped a shot narrowly extensive and Yamal fired straight at Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga when by means of on purpose.
On the different finish Ukrainian striker Vladyslav Vanat missed a slew of presentable alternatives.
Ferran Torres fired a very good likelihood extensive for Barca and Raphinha drove towards the upright as Flick’s aspect pushed for the opener.
They need to have gotten it when Dani Olmo was clumsily felled within the field by Daley Blind, however Yamal hit the submit from the spot.
Barcelona finally took the lead by means of Pau Cubarsi’s header from Jules Kounde’s cross after 59 minutes, however Girona swiftly pulled stage.
Thomas Lemar slipped away from Eric Garcia and turned dwelling Vanat’s cross from shut vary.
It shifted the momentum in Girona’s favour and Barca had been left counting on some beautiful saves from goalkeeper Joan Garcia to maintain them afloat.
The stopper denied Ivan Martin and Vanat with a exceptional double save, after which thwarted Joel Roca together with his leg.
Controversial winner
Barca couldn’t stem the tide and Girona compelled their means in entrance after 87 minutes, with Fran Beltran stroking dwelling from the sting of the world.
The guests, who final week made an official grievance to the Spanish soccer federation over perceived refereeing inconsistencies, had been left fuming after Kounde was fouled by Claudio Echeverri within the build-up and it went unpunished.
“It appeared like a foul (on Kounde) to me, however we should not concentrate on selections we won’t management,” mentioned Barca defender Gerard Martin.
Flick mentioned “everybody noticed” what occurred and it was a “clear” foul, however he wouldn’t complain about it an excessive amount of as a result of Barca had rather a lot to enhance on themselves.
“I’d discuss that if we performed nicely, however we did not play nicely, so it appears to be like like an excuse and complaining,” mentioned Flick.
“The (officers) do their job, generally it isn’t a very good job, however they’re on the identical stage as we performed, so it is possibly not a very good stage.”
Girona ended the sport with 10 males when Roca scythed down Yamal to chop quick a determined Barca assault deep in stoppage time.
It did the job and the hosts celebrated wildly on the finish with their jubilant followers at Montilivi, as Flick demanded explanations from the referee.
“Three factors towards Barca are greater than three factors, usually they beat virtually all groups,” mentioned pleased Girona coach Michel Sanchez.
