In a thrilling encounter, Athletic Bilbao handed high-flying Girona a reality check with a 3-2 victory on Monday, denting the Catalans’ LaLiga title ambitions. The result ended Girona’s 15-game unbeaten streak in the league and highlighted their recent dip in form, putting their position in the standings under threat.
Alex Berenguer was the hero for Athletic Bilbao, scoring twice to propel his team to victory. Berenguer opened the scoring in the second minute after intercepting a pass from Aleix Garcia, giving Athletic an early lead. Despite Girona equalizing through Viktor Tsyhankov in the 49th minute, Berenguer struck again in the 56th minute to put Athletic back in front. Inaki Williams extended their lead just four minutes later, putting the hosts in control.
Although Eric Garcia pulled one back for Girona with a close-range effort from an Aleix Garcia free kick, Athletic held on to secure their seventh consecutive home win. The victory propelled Athletic to fifth place in the standings, just two points behind Atletico Madrid.
Speaking after the match, Williams expressed pride in his team’s performance and emphasized the importance of looking ahead. With the win, Athletic remains in contention for a top-four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League, demonstrating their determination and resilience.
The result serves as a reality check for Girona, who had been flying high at the top of the league but now face stiff competition from the likes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Despite the setback, Girona remains in second place in the standings but will need to rediscover their form to maintain their position in the title race.
