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Unai Simón in action during the game between Girona and Athletic Bilbao.JOSEP LAGO (AFP)
The historic athleticism stopped the triumph of a team that wants to make history like Girona. The draw was accepted with resignation by the two competitors after a demanding, generous and attractive game in Montilivi. Míchel’s brave and attractive team had no choice but to share the lead with Madrid. Although it is not yet known exactly what he can achieve or what may be asked of him, Girona are expected to play well in every game to increase the challenge of reaching Europe. Football for him against Athletic was not destined to be a leader, but to be joint leaders with Madrid. A result that suited the tone of the competition as the red and white team were playing to win, could have lost and the draw was considered a success once the encounter was completed in the Athletic area.
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Gazzaniga, Arnau Martinez (Yan Couto, min. 68), Miguel Gutierrez, Daley Blind, Eric Garcia, Aleix García, Yangel Herrera (Ibrahima Kebe, min. 84), Tsygankov (Valery Fernández, min. 85), Sávio, Stuani ( Portu, Min. 69) and Iván Martín (Pablo Torre, Min. 77)
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Unai Simón, Daniel Vivian, Aitor Paredes, De Marcos, Lekue, O. Sancet (Unai Gómez, min. 90), Nico Williams (Berenguer, min. 81), Ruiz de Galarreta (Ander Herrera, min. 81), Vesga, Williams (Malcom Adu, Min. 90) and Guruzeta (Raúl García, Min. 73)
Goals 1-0 min. 55: Zygankov. 1-1 min 67: Williams.
referee Mario Melero Lopez
Yellow cards Guruzeta (min. 51) and Daley Blind (min. 59)
The game started in the Girona area. Athletic’s pressure was as intense as it was effective as Guruzeta was left alone against Gazzaniga following a clearance from Vesga. The striker was so surprised that he shot into the goalkeeper’s hands before Eric García looked guilty. It was not easy to defend the harmonious and numerous Basque performance and pass the ball towards Unai Simón. Around Sancet, a midfielder with a very good vision of the game, Athletic found a lot of space in Girona’s central zone. The approaches and chances followed against Gazzaniga, who was particularly able to save a goal from Nico Williams excellently.
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The porosity of the white and red defense contrasted with their ease in drawing the passing line along Miguel and Savinho’s side. The team’s crosses and the Brazilian’s dribbling broke up Athletic’s defense on De Marcos’ side. There were two shots in a row from Stuani that almost didn’t surprise Simón. The Uruguayan is not Dovbyk, a victim of the FIFA virus, another detail of the greatness that Míchel’s team has achieved. The Ukrainian plays, finishes, prepares and scores, absorbs and releases the ball and has a waist, while Stuani is the end point of Girona’s game and a goalscorer who thrives in front of his Montilivi fans.
The game became more even and quickened with a back and forth that was as entertaining and fast as it ended badly in Girona due to the lack of precision and assertiveness that was clearly evident in both areas . Valverde and Míchel were equally angry at half-time, both because of the lack of penetration of his players and because his team did not play the way it wanted, too unbalanced, too weak in containment and limited in attack due to the little contribution of Tsygankov. Girona has definitely learned to endure bad moments, is not afraid when the game gets tough and the rival does not stop attacking with the strikers when the Williams overflows. He also takes over Míchel’s corrections.
Girona took the ball and their game had more continuity at the break, after passing the dressing room the players improved, especially Tsygankov. The Ukrainian appeared to shoot a ball that Stuani did not attempt to finish after the intervention of Savinho and Miguel, the two players who continuously pounded Athletic’s right-back. Girona was more forward-looking, more aggressive and won the split duels against a rival as physical as Valverde. Most of their attacks were long and controlled to facilitate retreat and evade Athletic’s counterattacks. Girona wasn’t interested in an exchange of blows, but rather in directing his offense and defending the Williams better.
The only time Girona’s attack did not end with a shot, allowing Athletic’s transition, was the goal from Iñaki Williams, who was excellent in dribbling and close shooting against Aleix and Blind after a pass filtered by Sancet. The round of substitutions gave both teams new impetus, although Athletic’s squad is larger than Míchel’s, who even called on Pablo Torre. Although Athletic encouraged themselves at times, Girona reacted categorically after the game did not end 1-0.
Neither the pressure, nor the expectation, nor the break could slow down Girona’s last attack against a rival as fit as Athletic. Montilivi, filled to the brim, scored the goal, which didn’t come from a final shot from Pablo Torre. The fans have as much confidence in the victory as the team and Míchel. However, the winning goal was disallowed, probably because Athletic did not deserve a defeat at times. The two historical ones were two colossi in Montilivi.
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