- Girona win Catalan derby to seal first ever league triumph over Barca
- Míchel’s side genuine contenders for La Liga
- Blanquivermells lead table by two points as odds go to 5/1
Girona made a statement of intent in the La Liga title race with a remarkable triumph over Barcelona, propelling them to the top of the league table. This historic victory, marked by goals from Artem Dovbyk, Miguel Gutierrez, Valery Fernandez, and Cristhian Stuani, secured Girona’s first-ever league win against their Catalan rivals.
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Girona hit four to seal historic win at Montjuic
The match unfolded with Dovbyk finding the net in the 12th minute, expertly set up by Viktor Tsyhankov. Although Robert Lewandowski’s header drew Barcelona level seven minutes later, Girona consistently posed a threat on the counter.
Gutierrez, the Spain Under-21 left-back, restored Girona’s lead just before halftime with a powerful run and left-footed finish. Fernandez extended the lead in the 80th minute, showcasing skill and precision after eluding Barcelona’s Jules Kounde.
While Ilkay Gundogan’s late goal provided a glimmer of hope for Barcelona, Stuani swiftly extinguished it by tapping in Girona’s fourth at the back post. This emphatic victory not only sent Girona to the top of the table but also created a two-point gap over Real Madrid, with a seven-point lead over both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
Girona’s ascent to the summit may have surprised some, given their relatively short history and modest previous finishes, but the performance against Barcelona demonstrated their capability to contend for the La Liga title. For Barcelona, the defeat dealt a setback to their title aspirations, and they now find themselves trailing in the league standings.
It was indeed a special night for Girona, a club in only its fourth season in La Liga, as they continue to defy expectations and make their mark on the Spanish football landscape.
Betting Implications
Girona were priced at 25/1 to win La Liga as recently as November. However, the bookies have now acknowledged that they are genuine contenders and have Míchel’s side, who currently top the table, as third favourites. Their odds have come tumbling down to around 5/1 with most bookies, which is the price offered by bet365, at the time of writing. The bookie have Real Madrid as favourites, currently priced at 8/15, with Barcelona 4/1 and Atletico Madrid fourth favourites at 9/1. While Girona’s price has shortened dramatically, 5/1 still represents decent value if punters feel that their challenge can be sustained.
