Girona take Liga lead back with victory at Celta

Michel Sanchez's side moved one point clear of Real Madrid, who beat Las Palmas on Saturday, although the Catalan team have played one more match. Portu finished well in the 20th minute to send Girona ahead in a match they largely dominated but could not make safe by finding a second goal.

Rafa Benitez's Celta, provisionally 16th, sit two points above the relegation zone. Girona, in the top flight for only the fourth season in their history, continue to battle with Spain's giants for La Liga. On a rough pitch at Celta's Balaidos stadium, Girona took the initiative from the start.

Yangel Herrera hammered into the side netting as an early warning and Celta goalkeeper Vicente Guaita kept out an Artem Dovbyk header. The Ukrainian, La Liga's joint top goalscorer with Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham on 14 goals, came close on other occasions but could not add to his tally.

Girona's Paulo Gazzaniga saved well from Oscar Mingueza before his team took the lead. Miguel Gutierrez found Portu, who manoeuvered well and stroked home at the near post. Viktor Tsygankov fired over after being teed up by his compatriot Dovbyk at the end of a slick team-move.

Celta threatened through Jorgen Strand Larsen, who headed against the crossbar, but that was as close as they came to an equaliser. Girona tightened up defensively in a hard-fought second half and Celta could not carve out any clear chances as the clock ticked down.

Barcelona, third, lost 5-3 at home against Villarreal on Saturday, after which coach Xavi Hernandez said he would leave the club in June. Later Sunday Atletico Madrid, fourth, host Valencia, while Athletic Bilbao, fifth, visit Cadiz.

 

January 28, 2024