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could Roma return Artem Dovby back to sender
Despite scoring 16 goals and providing four assists in all competitions
Artem Dovbyk's debut season with Roma has failed to meet expectations
Purchased from Girona last August for a tidy €30.5 million
plus several million more in potential bonuses (and a 10% sell-on clause)
Dovbyk was expected to usher in a new era for Roma
leading the line for Daniele De Rossi's revamped Giallorossi side
Dovbyk was the lynchpin of Roma's summer transfer campaign
Dovbyk was among the few Roma players to shine under Ivan Juric
netting seven goals under the embattled manager's leadership
Dovbyk has avoided any prolonged goal-scoring droughts this season
leading the club in scoring by a healthy margin
despite a relatively healthy goal-scoring record
Dovbyk's underlying numbers reveal a troubling trend
Dovbyk's numbers have declined from their Girona heights
Add in some cries of passive play or a lack of killer instinct
there's your mini-controversy—a term we use loosely
Dovbyk's actual goal-scoring haul perfectly aligns with his expected goals: 11 league goals against 11.6 expected goals
Add it all up and you have one confounding striker
this has simply been a matter for message boards like ours
may be interested in reuniting with the 27-year-old striker
considering how much Roma paid for Dovbyk and the fact that he has been productive
Sport claims that Girona could lure Dovbyk back to Spain for roughly €30 million
using that 10% sell-on clause as a sort of make-weight or quasi-discount
With another managerial change on the horizon
it isn't inconceivable that Roma's new headman may prefer a different sort of striker
so this rumor may not be as flimsy as it appears on the surface
Real Madrid Doesn't Plan to Sign Miguel Gutiérrez | Real Madrid Confidencial FIRST TEAM The Real Reason for the 'No' to Miguel Gutiérrez: It's Not About His QualityGirona's '3' might have been left without a place in Real Madrid's sports planning04/05/2025 13:55:00h by Enrique Sanz
The debate over Real Madrid's left-back position for the upcoming seasons has brought up some names that are slowly aligning with a possible addition to Santiago Bernabéu locker room
another key figure in this regard has always been Miguel Gutiérrez
a former Real Madrid youth player and currently a Girona player
Despite the persistence of multiple transfer rumors
the Valdebebas offices have reportedly already made a decision regarding the player from the Catalan team
according to information published by José Félix Díaz
is not considering Miguel Gutiérrez as one of the potential candidates to fill the left-back position this summer
Miguel Gutiérrez in a match with Girona this season | Real Madrid ConfidencialQuite the opposite: they wish the footballer much success and luck in his time at Girona so that he attracts the interest of other elite clubs
Only then could Real Madrid truly benefit from Miguel Gutiérrez: in this case
The newspaper Asreinforces the role of Girona's '3' as a "financial asset" for the white club
Real Madrid would receive exactly half of the transfer fee that Girona could gather for Miguel Gutiérrez during a potential future sale
That's why the Real Madrid executives have repeatedly ignored the requests sent from Montilivi
through which Girona attempted to acquire the full rights to Miguel Gutiérrez
the main reason why Real Madrid has excluded Miguel Gutiérrez from the debate over the future left-back of the first team
even despite the debated and debatable season that Girona has had during the current league campaign
Even with the poor results of the Catalan team
the Valdebebas offices understand that Miguel Gutiérrez has enough quality for the European elite
he is not the type of player they would aspire to include in Santiago Bernabéu locker room
combined with the economic possibilities offered by a potential move out of Spain
definitively leaves the former Real Madrid youth player out
Miguel Gutiérrez celebrates a goal scored with Girona this season | Real Madrid ConfidencialReal Madrid will wait for Girona and Miguel Gutiérrez to regain competitive rhythm
Especially because there are several 'big' clubs from the Old Continent that keep the Catalan team's '3' on their list of potential signings..
although the possibility of that transfer has diminished given Girona's records in the current soccer season
With Miguel Gutiérrez ruled out for economic reasons
Real Madrid continues to search for the ideal player to fill the left-back position in the near future
The continuity of Fran García and Ferland Mendy is not assured
an idea that the executives led by Florentino Pérez reinforce with their decisions regarding potential candidates for a highly scrutinized position
This article features Stats Insider's prediction and tips for the Valladolid vs Girona game
along with the latest betting odds in Australia
Utilising trusted computer power and data, Stats Insider has simulated the result of Valladolid vs Girona 10,000 times
Our independent predictive analytics model gives Valladolid a 22.5% chance of winning
The current Bet365 betting odds in Australia for this La Liga clash at Estadio Municipal José Zorrilla are listed below:
Odds are correct at the time of publication and subject to change
Bet365 currently has Valladolid at $4.75 and Girona at $1.70
Lastly, Bet365 has odds of $3.80 for a draw if you believe both sides will be level after 90 minutes
The over/under for total goals scored is set at 2.5 with Bet365
which has odds of $1.80 for the over and $2.00 for the under
Today's Valladolid vs Girona betting tips are based on market-leading modelling and wagering intelligence to provide you with the best possible advice every day of the year
Betting on Valladolid to win is the best option because of the 1.4% edge found when comparing our data-led probabilities to the betting odds
Taking advantage of the edges seen here at Stats Insider is pivotal to achieving long-term profitability when punting on sports
Despite the Over being more likely to hit in this game, Under 2.5 is our best bet because of the better odds ($2.00) that are available from Bet365
Stats Insider provides full coverage of the Valladolid vs Girona match on Wednesday
including data-driven predictions and live scorestips
so bookmark this article for the latest betting predictions before the Valladolid vs Girona game
As always, see Stats Insider's Best Bets to get the best tips on every La Liga match
plus predictions for a wide range of other sports
The La Liga game between Valladolid and Girona at Estadio Municipal José Zorrilla is scheduled to begin at 3:00am AEST on Wednesday
All dates and times mentioned in this article are in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)
Our Valladolid vs Girona predictions are the result of 10,000 data-driven simulations of the game, carefully curated by our team of expert data scientists and analysts. We use the latest in predictive analytics technology and machine learning to ensure our La Liga tips are trustworthy and reliable
giving you the knowledge you need to make informed decisions with confidence
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Girona’s fight to steer clear of La Liga’s relegation battle continues on Monday night as they welcome Mallorca to Montilivi in what promises to be a crucial fixture for both ends of the table
Girona find themselves just three points above the drop zone after a torrid run of form
A positive result at home is essential to halt their slide and avoid being dragged deeper into trouble
After a sensational 2023-24 season that saw them finish third in La Liga and secure a historic Champions League berth
Girona have struggled to replicate that success this season
they have been caught in a relegaton battle
are still eyeing a potential European spot
Despite only one win in their past five games
a victory here could propel Jagoba Arrasate’s side into seventh and keep their Europa league ambitions alive
❤️ És dia de Mallorca 🖤 pic.twitter.com/HGOqhr5H6y
Girona are expected to be without Abel Ruiz once again
as the forward continues to struggle with a hamstring issue
Bryan Gil remains sidelined with a knee injury and the on-loan Tottenham Hotspur winger is unlikely to feature again this season
Ricard Artero may be fit enough for a place on the bench
Cristhian Stuani is set to lead the line after scoring against Leganes in Girona’s last outing
with Portu likely to retain his spot in the starting XI
Girona head into Monday’s clash in reasonably strong shape with only two absentees
Also Read: Xabi Alonso Is Closer Than Ever To Join Real Madrid After Carlo Ancelotti Exit Talks
Mallorca will remain without key duo Abdon Prats and Manu Morlanes for Monday’s clash as both continue their recovery from injury
They are also likely to be without Takuma Asano
Dani Rodriguez and Pablo Maffeo are available again after serving suspensions and are expected to slot straight back into the starting XI
Their returns could see Antonio Sanchez and Mateu Morey drop to the bench
while Cyle Larin is set to continue as the lone striker up front
I am a soccer writer at The PlayOffs, covering everything from match analysis to transfer buzz and tactical deep dives. Ever since I was a kid, soccer has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been an obsession. Playing and watching the game from a young age fueled my passion, eventually leading me into the world of sports media and betting. Now, I get to analyze the sport I love and bring the latest updates to fans worldwide.
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GIRONA"I've seen a lot of players come through Girona. A lot. Now, if we're talking about players with real commitment, the number drops quite a bit. Having them or not changes everything, everything. Especially when you have to stretch your skills. With them, things are always easier," explains Albert Mateos, who was in charge of the Real Madrid midfield and was tied to the veterans and the Genuine team, of which he is also the creator.
"As a fan, regarding the possibility of staying up, I am much calmer with them on the pitch, of course. I think they can do it, yes," says Mateos, a person who looks after the history of Girona and its protagonists. "I have no doubt that they too are part of the select group of great red-and-white footballers."
get your fill of Catalan history with these five easy day trips from Barcelona
Published: May 4, 2025written by Sarah Arksey Njegovan
is a history buff’s paradise in its own right
and you’ll be greeted with a kaleidoscope of sociopolitical
These five Catalan cities are located two hours or less from Barcelona — each will reveal to you its unique side of the region
Sitges is first mentioned in documentation from 991 CE and gets its name from the Old Catalan word for silo — likely due to the crop-storing cavities found among the Roman and Iberian ruins in the area
Sitges was inhabited long before this — a Neanderthal jawbone was discovered here in 1954
meaning mankind has lived there for at least 40,000 years
which had existed since the 11th century before being demolished in 1888
having been destroyed and rebuilt during one too many battles to continue serving as the town’s centerpiece
One of Sitges’s most famous residents was modernist painter Santiago Rusiñol. Today, Rusiñol’s home and studio have been given a second life as the Cau Ferrat Museum
one of the city’s most popular attractions
A great free activity in Sitges is a walk through the historic old town
the entrance to which lies at Plaça del Baluard square
lined with original buildings built around 1400 CE
Sitges is accessible in about 40 minutes by car or direct train (R2) from Barcelona Sants
Tarragona has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for over 20 years and is the only such site in Catalonia. In 218 BCE, Tarragona was conquered by Roman forces led by General Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio, who renamed it Tarraco. In 27 BCE, Tarraco became the home of none other than Julius Caesar
who relocated there to lead wars against Asturian and Cantabrian forces as well as to oversee the development of the city’s infrastructure
Tarraco became a sort of capital for the Hispania Roman Empire — chosen for its coastal
which made it an excellent lookout point with just the right amount of inaccessibility to opposing forces
This history is reflected in Tarragona’s impressive ruins
Tarragona has been referred to as “the blueprint for Rome’s success” since its design was considered so sophisticated that it was replicated across the Roman Empire
An obligatory first stop is the Tarragona’s impressively preserved Roman amphitheater
don’t be surprised if you see tell-tale bits of original Roman city walls — the city is
In the heart of the old town, you’ll find another unmissable bit of architecture — the Tarragona Cathedral. In keeping with Tarragona’s theme, this is a modern cathedral built atop an ancient Roman temple, the remains of which can still be seen along the base. Art lovers may wish to visit some of the buildings designed by famed architect Josep Maria Jujol (a close collaborator of even more famed architect Antoni Gaudi)
such as The Theatre Metropol and the Mercado Central de Tarragona
Tarragona is also home to Spain’s largest theme park
Tarragona is easily accessible in just over one hour by car or direct regional train from Barcelona Sants
Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, located on Spain’s Montserrat Mountain, is, first and foremost, a functioning monastery that will celebrate its 1,000th anniversary in 2025. The mountain held spiritual significance long before the monastery was built — the Romans built a temple here to honor the goddess Venus
especially during religious holidays when they are treated to elaborate masses and performances by the local boy’s choir
Roughly two million people visit Montserrat each year
they are greeted by a small farmer’s market
which offers locally produced cheese and honey
The Montserrat Basilica contains a sculpture known as the Black Madonna
It depicts a woman cradling a baby in one arm and holding a small orb
Touching this orb—it has been claimed by many—can create miracles
The Black Madonna is believed to have been carved in Jerusalem during the early days of Christianity and moved to Spain in order to protect it from invading armies
allegedly reappearing in a cave called Santa Cova after shepherds were drawn to its location by mysterious lights and singing
Santa Cova is accessible via one of Montserrat’s many hiking trails
Montserrat also hosts a small museum containing original works by Monet and Picasso and an authentic Egyptian mummy
Visitors can pay 18 euros for access to all of the monastery’s features
though the one-hour drive is a bit challenging
The most popular way to arrive is by R5 train (towards Manresa) to Monistrol Montserrat Station for the funicular or Aeri de Montserrat for the cable car
either of which takes roughly two hours total and costs 26.30 euros inclusive per adult round-trip
The picturesque seaside town of Cadaqués is brimming with history
The first documented mention of the city was in 814 CE when the crew of a wrecked ship was rescued by Cadaqués villagers
The walls were built due to the ever-present threat of Algerian
In 1444 CE, Moorish pirates succeeded in burning down the majority of the town. The town was slowly rebuilt, and by the 17th century, trade had begun with America, leading to a prosperous era for Cadaqués. Visitors can participate in a treasure hunt through the Rutes Cadaques tour company for a hands-on way to learn more about the town’s unique history of piracy
The town’s main exports were once wine and olive oil
both of which you can sample at one of the many seaside restaurants and bars
The now-peaceful pebbled shore is an excellent place to stroll
Visitors can walk through and marvel at Dalí’s bizarre interior design choices
including several massive sculptures of eggs and gardens sculpted into the house’s perimeter
It truly feels like you’re trespassing in Dalí’s home while he’s out for the day — one of his unfinished paintings still sits on an easel in the workshop
Cadaqués can be reached in just under two hours by car or three hours by first taking a regional train from Barcelona Sants to Llanca or Figueres and then switching to a local bus
Girona was initially inhabited by the Indeka, which loosely translates to “indigenous.” Like Tarragona, Girona was later settled by Romans, who named it Gerunda. Quintus Sartorius was the leader of Roman Hispania at the time, but had grown rebellious — and a new leader, who would later be known as Pompey the Great
The city’s medieval period has been called the “Golden Age of Girona,” largely thanks to contributions by the local Jewish community
visitors can choose from various well-preserved attractions representative of each of Girona’s controlling entities
The city’s Arab Baths were built in the 12th century
Visitors can also choose to stroll upon some of the longest Carolingian walls in Europe
was built in the Neoclassical style and contains a monument commemorating Spain’s fight against Napoleonic France — and today
it is a great spot to people-watch from a cafe
Sarah Arksey Njegovan is a journalist and photographer originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Creative Writing from Western University in London, Ontario, much of which she completed remotely while traveling. Sarah has visited 60 countries, and is always planning her next adventure!
Lachlan Morton returns to Girona for Europe’s premiere gravel race
ready to race the Traka 360 on his old stomping grounds
Lachy called the Catalan cycling capital home for years when he was a road racer and has an atlas of every rocky singletrack
and wild boar path through the local hills ingrained in his memory from all of the exploring he did when he lived in town
he’ll set off for 358.5 kilometers around that map
looping north around Figueres and then back down the coast for a hilly finale in the Gavarres mountains around Girona
Since his Croatian adventure, racing the 4islands Epic with his mate Tsgabu Grmay from Team AMANI, Lachy has been relaxing in his old hometown
riding his favorite trails with old friends
He is sticking to his own laid-back approach to the race
though the Traka has fast become the blue riband gravel competition in Europe
“It feels a bit like going to a national championship as an under 19,” Lachlan says
but I'm having fun the way I'm going about doing it
this year is equally as much about the experience around the race and the times we've been able to spend here
getting out on the bike and just enjoying what it means to ride bikes here
I feel like I've been finding a nice balance for myself.”
What Lachlan loves about Girona is the diversity of terrain you can ride right out the backdoor
Meet your mates for a coffee and roll out of town
and you can just let your imagination go wild
“The options in terms of routes are basically unlimited,” Lachy says
“There are so many different surfaces and zones that you can connect
where it's pretty smooth and fast on all these flowy gravel roads
Or you can go into the hills where it's more chunky and you can make it as gnarly or as adventurous as you'd like
It is motivating to get out and explore it and see it
The more willing you are to dive into it and start exploring a bit
the more you find and the more you get out of it
there's a huge cycling community here now and the infrastructure around it makes life very easy for someone visiting
It is definitely a pretty idyllic destination to come and ride.”
Girona is buzzing with freehubs at the moment
Lachy is excited to see how far gravel racing has come since he got in the game
just with thousands of athletes racing behind them for pure fun
That’s always been the heart of racing gravel for Lachy
When the going gets tough 300-plus kilometers deep into the Traka
“Everyone can approach the race how they want,” Lachy says
There wasn’t a right approach in terms of what training you should do
people have sort of cracked the code and realized that you just have to train like a pro road rider and then ride the gravel bike a little bit
there is definitely the potential to miss a lot and miss some of the more rewarding aspects of riding gravel bikes on the whole
What is really is cool about the Traka is that it brings people from different disciplines together at an elite level though
You've got mountain bikers and road riders and gravel racers
all showing up in one place and racing hard
but he still thinks he can give the best gravel racers in the world a run for the prizes on Friday on his favorite red Catalan dirt
“For anyone who's just trying to get around the 360 course
maybe at a pace that is faster than last time or at a pace that's sustainable
you have to be pretty conservative in the beginning,” Lachlan says
the pace is dictated by everyone who's racing
you have to buy into it and just keep the hand in the fire for as long as you can
That's the way these races generally go
Whoever can hold the hand in for the longest wins
and so many things are going to happen in the course of the race that it is sure to be fun and interesting and we’ll have good stories to tell by the end.”
Follow Lachy’s Traka adventure on our social channels this week and watch out for the film on our Far Beyond YouTube channel
The Traka 360 is tomorrow and Lachlan Morton is going full send
The reigning Unbound champion will race his brand new Cannondale LAB71 SuperX over Girona’s toughest dirt
Lachy’s Traka 360 bike is built to thrash around corners at the front of the peloton
gnarly climbs and shred white-knuckle descents
Lachy is laid back about just about everything except his bike set up
He’s been pushing the sport of gravel racing forward for years and this is his favorite bike yet
It is a bit lighter and faster and more aero
For the Traka 360, Lachlan will ride 54/40 FSA chainrings with an 11-34 cassette. Never one to follow trends, he rides 175mm FSA cranks for extra torque and uses a 40cm wide Cannondale System R-One Carbon cockpit
He’ll stick with his trusty Vision Metron 45SL wheels for the Traka
Lachlan’s strategy is as simple as it gets
“The general idea is to try and squeeze in as big of tires as possible,” he says. “I’m riding 44mm Vittoria Mezcals that basically max out the capacity of the frame
Those are my go-tos in normal race conditions
It's nice to just run something you know and that you're comfortable with
Lachlan is going one heck of a long way tomorrow
With 360 kilometers of Catalonian dirt ahead of him
he is ready to throw himself into the fray
knowing he has the best gravel bike in the game
Watch for his Knog Frog Strobe Front Bike Light to emerge from the predawn darkness at the front of the pack and stay there as the sun rises over the Gavarres
Check out the full specs of his Traka 360 bike
Cannondale System R-One Carbon one piece 120/40
Knog Frog Strobe Front Bike Light and Cobber
Share this storyFeatured EventTraka 360May. 02, 2025 – May. 02, 2025Stages1View raceAnimated ChevronsLachlan MortonLachlan Morton’s cycling career has been anything but traditional
the thirty-one-year-old is best known for the alternative calendar and his long-distance rides
he has taken his love of cycling and used it to benefit others
he rode in a single push from Munich to Korczowa-Krakovets on the Polish-Ukrainian border
covering 1,064 kilometers in 42 hours and raising over $250,000 for Ukrainian refugees
Lachlan rode the Alt Tour which saw him ride every stage of the Tour de France
beat the Tour de France peloton to Paris by five days and
raised over $700,000 for World Bicycle Relief
the Australian has joined forces with his brother Gus in the “Thereabouts” documentary series
Their films are dedicated to exploring new perspectives on the world — and their place in it — from their bikes
This year, Lachlan will have more freedom than ever before. Who knows what adventures he is going to get up to…
Girona FC – Player props & odds to score a goal on May 5Data Skrive[gambcom-standard rankid="4130" ]
Think Martin Valjent will score in RCD Mallorca's upcoming game versus Girona FC on Monday
Mallorca's last game was a 1-0 loss away from home against FC Barcelona while being outshot by 37 in the match
Keep up with LaLiga action this season on Fubo!
Soccer player prop odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Monday at 12:39 PM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub
1.6 per match).Girona FC has scored 40 goals in 33 games this season (ninth in LaLiga)
and Mallorca has conceded 38 goals in 33 matches (seventh in league).Mallorca is 11th in LaLiga in goal differential at -7.Girona FC is 17th in LaLiga in goal differential at -12.RCD Mallorca vs
Girona FC Match InfoMatchup: Mallorca at Girona FCTime: 3:00 PM ETDate: May 5
2025Venue: Estadi MontiliviMore Player Props:[gambcom-standard rankid="4338" ]
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Pete Stetina during the 2024 Traka gravel race in Girona
Sarah Sturm at the 2024 Traka gravel race in Girona
Elite gravel racers from around the globe converge on Girona
for Europe's premier gravel race this weekend
The Traka began in 2019, and quickly became one of, if not the most prestigious gravel race in Europe, so much so that it earned the comparison of being the Unbound of Europe
the Spanish race attracts big names seeking to prove themselves against the best racers in Europe and beyond
Part of the Gravel Earth Series
The Traka also attracts media and industry attention
and product launches taking place in Girona this week in the lead-up to racing on Friday
The 360K (~220 mile) race begins bright and early at 5:50 a.m
local time on Friday (May 2)and will challenge riders with a total of 3,700 meters (12,140 feet) of climbing
The course begins in Girona and immediately heads uphill on a paved climb
punchy climbs to break up the first third of the race
The next major hilly section starts 130 km in
and there is a large climb to kick off the final third of the race at kilometre 278
The finale doesn’t lack in punch either
with a climb at kilometre 349 before a net-downhill run into the finish
New for 2025 is anti-doping testing for riders in the 200 and 260K races
Last year’s winners were Pete Stetina and Karolina Migon
and both racers will be in attendance to defend their titles
Stetina recently rode to a podium at Belgian Waffle Ride California
while Migon finished 7th at The Hills Gravel a few weeks ago
She is also the reigning overall Gravel Earth Series victor
Those who follow the Life Time Grand Prix will be familiar with Torbjørn André Røed who will also be on the startline
The Gravel Earth Series takes racers’ best four scores from a large calendar of events
The Traka is one of a few events in the series that offers more points toward the overall for being a prestigious event
but they are not required to be at The Traka
The Traka 200K distance also offers points toward the overall
Benjamin Perry and Morgan Aguirre currently lead the series
Perry is signed up for the 360K while Aguirre is slated to start the 200K
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The victory moved Barcelona to 66 points from 29 games as 36-year-old Lewandowski, who scored twice after the score was tied at 1-1, extended his tally at the top of LaLiga's scoring chart to 25 goals, three clear of Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé
but I work as hard as I did when I was 21 and I want to play for more seasons," Lewandowski said with a smile
"At the moment I'm feeling great physically and if you look at the numbers
Barcelona predictably dominated the opening stages as Fermín López and Lewandowski tested Paulo Gazzaniga in Girona's goal with two early shots
Lopez went down on the edge of the box and the referee awarded a free kick but when VAR asked him to review his decision for a potential penalty
much to the shock of the Barcelona players
Jules Koundé had a goal disallowed when he strayed offside as Girona had no answer to Barça's forays into the box
but Gazzaniga stood strong to deny the home side time again and again
making four crucial saves in the first half alone
However, the Argentine keeper could only stand and watch when Yamal's free kick was deflected in off Girona defender Ladislav Krejcí for an own goal two minutes before the break
Girona, however, struck back after the restart against the run of play when they won the ball back in midfield and Dutch forward Arnaut Danjuma curled his shot past Wojciech Szczesny in goal
Barcelona did not panic and they restored their lead just after the hour-mark when Lopez headed a ball across the box and Lewandowski converted with an acrobatic finish at the far post
Lewandowski then made it 3-1 in the 77th minute from a counter-attack when Frenkie de Jong found him in the box and the Polish striker curled a low shot past Gazzaniga
Substitute Ferran Torres made it 4-1 when he expertly controlled a pass from the wing with a sublime first touch before finding the bottom corner while Yamal nearly made it five
only to see his curling shot cannon off the crossbar
"It's very clear to see that when they had the ball this afternoon
We knew we were up against a great team," Danjuma said
I thought we could take something from the game
they got their third...and then it became very difficult."
The victory moved Barcelona to 66 points from 29 games as 36-year-old Lewandowski, who scored twice after the score was tied at 1-1, extended his tally at the top of LaLiga's scoring chart to 25 goals, three clear of Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé
\"I know a lot of people talk about my age
but I work as hard as I did when I was 21 and I want to play for more seasons,\" Lewandowski said with a smile
\"At the moment I'm feeling great physically and if you look at the numbers
they're the same as they've always been.\"
Barcelona predictably dominated the opening stages as Fermín López and Lewandowski tested Paulo Gazzaniga in Girona's goal with two early shots
Jules Koundé had a goal disallowed when he strayed offside as Girona had no answer to Barça's forays into the box
However, the Argentine keeper could only stand and watch when Yamal's free kick was deflected in off Girona defender Ladislav Krejcí for an own goal two minutes before the break
Girona, however, struck back after the restart against the run of play when they won the ball back in midfield and Dutch forward Arnaut Danjuma curled his shot past Wojciech Szczesny in goal
Lewandowski then made it 3-1 in the 77th minute from a counter-attack when Frenkie de Jong found him in the box and the Polish striker curled a low shot past Gazzaniga
Substitute Ferran Torres made it 4-1 when he expertly controlled a pass from the wing with a sublime first touch before finding the bottom corner while Yamal nearly made it five
\"It's very clear to see that when they had the ball this afternoon
We knew we were up against a great team,\" Danjuma said
they got their third...and then it became very difficult.\"
How to Watch Girona FC vs. RCD Mallorca: Live Stream, TV Channel, Start Time | 5/5/2025Data SkriveTwo clubs residing in opposite halves of LaLiga, ninth-place RCD Mallorca and 17th-place Girona FC, meet at 3:00 PM ET on Monday. You can stream the match on ESPN+
Girona FC's last game was a 1-1 draw away from home against CD Leganes while taking eight shots
Mallorca was defeated by FC Barcelona 1-0 on the road in its most recent game on April 22
Watch live sports and more without cable on ESPN+. Click here to watch LaLiga action
Madrid took a while to settle into the match but gradually began to exert control before a clearance from a corner fell to Modric
whose sublime long-range volley arrowed into the top corner in the 41st minute
The hosts' attackers kept the Girona defence busy throughout the game and combined for the second goal in the 83rd when Kylian Mbappe played through Vinicius, who poked his shot under Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga
Madridl's win lifted them to 54 points after 25 games, level with Barca, who beat Las Palmas 2-0 away on Saturday, but trailing on the head-to-head count. Atlético Madrid are third with 53 points after winning 3-0 at Valencia on Saturday
A blistering first-half volley by Luka Modric and a late Vinícius Júnior strike helped Real Madrid to a 2-0 home victory over Girona on Sunday, snapping a three-game winless run and moving the champions up to second place in LaLiga behind Barcelona
The hosts' attackers kept the Girona defence busy throughout the game and combined for the second goal in the 83rd when Kylian Mbappe played through Vinicius, who poked his shot under Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga
Madridl's win lifted them to 54 points after 25 games, level with Barca, who beat Las Palmas 2-0 away on Saturday, but trailing on the head-to-head count. Atlético Madrid are third with 53 points after winning 3-0 at Valencia on Saturday.
Second-placed Real have 36 points with a game in hand on Barça, who drew 2-2 at Real Betis earlier on Saturday
Girona suffered a sixth loss in 16 league matches and remain eighth on 22 points
Bellingham opened the scoring in the 36th minute by capitalising on a loose ball and firing home from the centre of the box before setting up Güler with a fine through ball to double the lead 10 minutes after the break
The England midfielder
who scored for a fifth consecutive LaLiga match
was having an outstanding game but was forced off after taking a knock shortly before Mbappé made it 3-0 with a shot from a tight angle in the 62nd to wrap up the win
Real boss Ancelotti told reporters Bellingham had any serious injury but they also lost full-back Ferland Mendy to a muscular problem ahead of their Champions League clash at Atalanta on Tuesday
We've had the muscle injury to Mendy but the rest of it is just knocks
Girona have struggled without key players through injury and now face difficult matches at home to Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday and away to Mallorca next Saturday in LaLiga
"The team has suffered a lot of injuries. It's costing us more. We still have months to keep growing," Girona defender Miguel Gutiérrez told Movistar
Girona are 30th in the Champions League table
three points behind Real who are 24th and occupy the final qualifying spot for the playoffs
Second-placed Real have 36 points with a game in hand on Barça, who drew 2-2 at Real Betis earlier on Saturday
The England midfielder
Real boss Ancelotti told reporters Bellingham had any serious injury but they also lost full-back Ferland Mendy to a muscular problem ahead of their Champions League clash at Atalanta on Tuesday
Girona have struggled without key players through injury and now face difficult matches at home to Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday and away to Mallorca next Saturday in LaLiga
\"The team has suffered a lot of injuries. It's costing us more. We still have months to keep growing,\" Girona defender Miguel Gutiérrez told Movistar
Fresh from securing their spot in the UEFA Conference League semi-finals
Real Betis now shift focus back to La Liga as they visit Girona on Monday night
aiming to strengthen their bid for Champions League qualification
Betis remain in the hunt for a top-four finish
are battling at the opposite end of the table
Their recent form has been patchy as they’ve lost three consecutive league games and are winless in their last nine games
With just four points above the relegation zone
Girona’s survival hopes are hanging in the balance
Girona held Betis to a 1-1 draw earlier this season and claimed a 3-2 victory in this fixture last term
But with Champions League football in their sights
Betis will be determined to take all three points at Montilivi
Such a lovely welcome, Girona – thank you! 🥰👏 pic.twitter.com/0LV5Z6u8k8
Girona will be without Bryan Gil and Ricard Artero due to injury concerns
is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury last month
Left-back Miguel Gutierrez is also a major doubt after missing the recent defeat to Osasuna with an adductor issue
Daley Blind is likely to fill in on the left side of defence
ALSO READ: Lionel Messi on Failed Return to Barcelona, Reminisces: ‘A Place Always Wanted To Be’
Tomorrow 👊 pic.twitter.com/6BX40F1bTd
Real Betis will be without defender Diego Llorente and midfielder Marc Roca for the remainder of the season due to hamstring and ankle injuries respectively
Forward Chimy Avila is also expected to miss the rest of the campaign after sustaining a thigh injury in training
Left-back Ricardo Rodriguez is a doubt for Betis
Romain Perraud should keep his place at left-back
Antony will be the player to watch out in this match as he has an impressive four goals and four assists following a January loan move from Manchester United
💚💚💚¡Nuestra convocatoria para el #GironaRealBetis! pic.twitter.com/bNsbBWaHpK
Odds via BetMGM.
Girona's Palau de Fires events centre has opened its doors this evening to people stuck in the city with nowhere else to sleep, as is the case of many people travelling around Catalonia for work on Monday, stuck where they are because of the widescale power outage.
Jordi Guinot is a computer scientist from Terrassa who had travelled to Sils to work on Monday when he found himself and the world without electricity. Now, unable to get home tonight, he's preparing to make his bed in the congress hall.
Earlier in the day, he had travelled to the train station hoping to return to Barcelona, but they were no longer running. At the station, he saw scenes of "chaos" and plenty of disinformation.
"The hours went by and I couldn't take any buses because they were already full, luckily they have set up this space," he told the Catalan News Agency.
He is keeping his fingers crossed that the train service will be restored tomorrow morning so he can return home.
Girona has set up 200 beds in the Palau de Fires to accommodate those like Jordi, unable to return home.
"For now, I'm taking the opportunity to finish some work, and tomorrow morning I'll see if the trains are working and I can take one early," he said.
Many neighborhoods and surrounding towns in Girona are without power this evening, leaving dinner options a lot more bare than usual, and families are preparing to spend the night in the dark.
This is the case of Enric and Judit, who live in the Pla de Palau neighborhood of the city and who have taken advantage of the last hours of light to prepare dinner.
The couple have a small gas canister, the likes normally used on camping trips, that they have employed in their home to cook up a simple garlic omelette, which they're eating by candle-light.
"We wanted to have dinner early to enjoy some natural light," Enric explained.
The surprise came at dessert when the power was restored. "Now we can get information and spend the night in peace," Enric said.
In his case the return of the electricity was especially reassuring as he has to sleep with a CPAP machine that administers oxygen to prevent sleep apnea.
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“We are ready to win and do the right things”Press conference before Girona-Mallorca
that no matter what happens people are with us
that they don't look at the shirt number but at the player's shirt”
Convinced that on Monday we will be at our best"
“I look at the opposition but I'm convinced that the most important thing is to be confident”
“We are ready to win and to do things well”
Ego makes you look to the past and the future and I need them to be in the present”
“One of the objectives of the team is not to concede goals”
“We have worked so that everyone is used to being under pressure”
“I have told the players that on Monday we need to have great energy at the start of the game”
Sofia Gómez Villafañe (Specialized) comes over the line to claim the women's race at the 2025 edition of the Traka 200
Gómez Villafañe and Klöser hold off Annika Langvad as Matthew Beers and Filippo Conca sprint to complete men's podium
both winning solo with late attacks on the 202km course in the surroundings of Girona
who spent a long time trying to catch back on to the leaders
Matthew Beers (Specialized) came across the line to take second
who claimed the title with a time of 6:12:21 after attacking in the final 20km.
it was Filippo Conca (Swatt Club) who had been in a leading pair with Würtz Schmidt
being more than two minutes down on the Danish winner
The Traka 200 started from the Parc de les Ribes del Ter
following on from The Traka 360 on Friday and the 560km Traka Adventure
The racing concludes with The Traka 100 on Sunday.
In the women’s race, the debuting Villafañe had to overcome the likes of defending champion Carolin Schiff, The Hills winner Morgan Aguirre, last year's second-placed Klara Sofie Skovgaard Hansen and Cecily Decker, who delivered a show of strong form when she took third at Sea Otter Gravel. Decker was fourth at the end of the day while Schiff took sixth, Aguirre 17th and it was a tough day out for Skovgaard Hansen who struggled in the heat and came 21st.
A group of seven riders formed early in the race, but Villafañe and Klöser rode off the front of that group, Langvad slightly off the back, chasing, but never made it back as the gap widened to the leading duo.
Villafañe had headed into the race having grappled with some illness after the winning effort at Cape Epic and then continued on with a hectic spring schedule in the lead up to The Traka 200.
"I started to see a little glimmer of myself last weekend at the Belgian Waffle Ride in California, but with Specialized it was clear that I wasn't here for a result; I was here to experience it," said the rider who has dominated the US gravel scene in recent seasons. "That allowed me to test the field and see how the riders ride. I controlled the first two climbs and descents, willing to slam a rock, crash or flat. But my equipment was outstanding."
Villafañe also shared a bottle with her rival while noting that she felt Klöser was in better shape than she was but that tactics were also at play.
"I knew my best chance at beating her was on the single track, just because I wasn't at that sprint at Unbound last year, and I didn't want to take my chances. I think I got a nice little gap and then full gas to the finish."
After the 200 played out on Saturday, it was then The Traka 100 on Sunday that closed out the racing at the event for another year. European gravel champion Sina Frei claimed the final women's victory while Jo Pirotte claimed the men's win at The Traka 100.
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Start TimeData SkriveRCD Mallorca is having some success this season
residing in the top half of LaLiga at ninth
Girona FC wound up with a draw by a score of 1-1 away from home versus CD Leganes while taking eight shots
Mallorca fell to FC Barcelona 1-0 on the road in its most recent match on April 22
Here's everything you need to prepare for Monday's action
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while Girona are in 30th place on three points
Girona suffered their fifth defeat of the competition but made Liverpool work for the victory and in the opening half had chances to take the lead but were foiled by the visitors' keeper Alisson
Liverpool struggled against a side happy to sit back and bide their time, but found the breakthrough from the penalty spot with Salah converting in the 63rd minute after Luis Díaz was fouled
It's not easy to do or there would be more teams doing it," Liverpool defender Andy Robertson said
but at this point it's about winning the games and securing qualification."
Girona were pinned back in the opening minutes by Liverpool's pressure
with the visitors creating two early chances
were happy to break on the counter-attack and Liverpool keeper Alisson
making his first appearance since early October after a hamstring injury
we have to accept that we lost," Girona's Frances said
The main thing was to have chances against a great team and we had them."
Núñez had another effort saved when put through by Salah and Girona responded with a shot from outside the area by Yáser Asprilla which Alisson parried away for a corner
Alisson was again involved in the opening seconds of the second half, saving from Arnaut Danjuma and Liverpool struggled to break down a stubborn Girona defence before a Donny van de Beek foul on Diaz gave Salah his chance from the spot
Salah missed a penalty in Liverpool's last Champions League game against Real Madrid
but made no mistake this time sending the keeper the wrong way and the ball into the bottom corner
Girona never really looked like finding an equaliser with Liverpool maintaining possession much better than in the opening half and leaving the Estadi Montilivi with all three points
Girona suffered their fifth defeat of the competition but made Liverpool work for the victory and in the opening half had chances to take the lead but were foiled by the visitors' keeper Alisson
Liverpool struggled against a side happy to sit back and bide their time, but found the breakthrough from the penalty spot with Salah converting in the 63rd minute after Luis Díaz was fouled
It's not easy to do or there would be more teams doing it,\" Liverpool defender Andy Robertson said
but at this point it's about winning the games and securing qualification.\"
we have to accept that we lost,\" Girona's Frances said
The main thing was to have chances against a great team and we had them.\"
Núñez had another effort saved when put through by Salah and Girona responded with a shot from outside the area by Yáser Asprilla which Alisson parried away for a corner
Salah missed a penalty in Liverpool's last Champions League game against Real Madrid
Andy Jones delivered The Briefing for The Athletic from Liverpool's sixth straight Champions League win — you can read it at the link below
Subscribe to The Athletic on an exclusive offer here.
Girona 0 Liverpool 1: Was it a penalty – and what now for Darwin Nunez
Though the Estadi Montilivi's official capacity is 14,624
its Champions League capacity is just 9,721
That's because you cannot use temporary stands in UEFA competition
The club had to invest heavily this summer to bring their stadium up to Champions League standards
but it's worth it for Girona fans to see their side at home in elite European competition
considering they might have 5,000 fans' worth of noise added on in future
I don't mean to be too critical of a player that genuinely works really hard and clearly is liked by team-mates and fans for his effort and exuberance
Darwin Nunez has showcased his characteristic profligacy so far today
With a fairly simple header across the six-yard box needed to set up a brilliant chance for a team-mate
Probably far from the last time I'll type that this year
Nunez's positioning and anticipation is good
hence why he finds himself in the right position for goalscoring chances so often
But he cannot seem to finish them at anywhere near an acceptable rate for a Liverpool striker bought for a fee that could reach £85million
Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota are far more effective finishers
even if Nunez helps to fashion chances for others at a decent rate
Jota's return from injury cannot come soon enough for Arne Slot
Darwin Nunez had to do better with his big chance in that first half
It was a poor header from Dominik Szoboszlai’s deflected cross initially
then seconds later he fails to beat Gazzaniga when well placed
The Uruguayan attacker had only scored once in his last nine appearances before tonight and you can see he’s short of confidence in the final third
Alisson has been kept busy on his return to the side and he’s looked very sharp for a man who hasn’t played for two months
Girona had four shots on target in that opening 45 minutes
which is the most Liverpool have faced in the first half of a Champions League game so far this season
As Michael has mentioned on several occasions
Girona's Miguel Gutierrez has looked really bright and purposeful so far
including one smart header directed wide of his own post after a wicked cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold was waiting to be finished by several Liverpool players behind him
he's pulled the visitors out of shape with some positive runs down the left
Daley Blind should have scored from his precise low cross
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has already proven himself to be adept at making shrewd tactical changes at half-time
and at making substitutions which positively impact the game
Here
Ahmed Walid writes with a tactical focus on how the Dutchman reacts quickly to the state of play
And here
Jordan Campbell pens his thoughts after watching Newcastle 3-3 Liverpool with a substitutes coach to assess Slot and Newcastle manager Eddie Howe's in-game switches
What tweaks could we see Slot make at half-time as his side aims to break the deadlock here in Catalonia
How Arne Slot is proving to be the master of the half-time tactical tweak
I hope the referee was too — but within seconds of the 45 minutes coming to an end
his whistle blows and the two sides get a breather
Nice move from Girona as Romeu gets them moving in midfield
spreading the ball wide to the left where Danjuma is waiting
opts to cut inside onto his right foot — and I’ve seen this movie before
where Danjuma can bend one in off his right foot from 25 yards
swerves the wrong way and ends up threatening the corner flag instead
USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino will be interested to see how things go for Celtic in Croatia
Half of the starting back line in Brendan Rodgers' 4-3-3 against Dinamo Zagreb tonight: centre-halves Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty are part of his player pool at international level
It remains goalless in the other early Champions League kick-off tonight
He takes a lovely touch as the ball falls to him on the edge of the penalty box
He cuts across a lovely shot that looks destined for the top corner
Girona have moments in the box but Alisson hasn’t really been stretched so far
A deflected cross looks like it’s just going to be headed home at the far post — but Van Dijk completely fluffs his header
It was a great chance from close range too
hits bodies with the shot and the ricochet is kind for Girona
there’s no way this game finishes goalless
Girona are definitely committing players forward and that press is giving Liverpool some awkward moments
But as we saw just then from Jones and Alexander-Arnold
their ability to play out of tight spaces under pressure is so good that intention won’t be enough on its own for Girona
Celtic are dominating possession so far against Dinamo Zagreb
with both sides desperately needing a positive result to ward off the threat of Champions League elimination
The Scottish club's best chance at a goal came from a handball just outside the penalty area
but Paulo Bernardo's free kick sailed harmlessly over the bar
Celtic have also earned two corners as they continue to press into Dinamo Zagreb's defensive half
A bit of drama as Alejandro Frances goes down holding his face
after getting a bit of contact from Luis Diaz’s arm
The referee isn’t too fussed about it though — and would have also seen Frances’ grabbing that kicked the whole incident off
Liverpool trying to absorb the ball for a bit
winning a corner and then seeing Alexander-Arnold put in a delicious cross from the left
inswinging into the heart of the six-yard box and seeing Gutierrez produce a terrific header clear
And Miguel Gutierrez continues to be everywhere
Liverpool were so dominant in the early stages with Gazzaniga saving from Gomez and Nunez
Girona have started to pose a threat themselves
Slot on the touchline clearly not happy about the ease with which they are playing through his team
Alisson has had to make three saves in quick succession to deny Frances
Girona are doing a great job of getting several players involved in their attacks and it’s giving Liverpool’s back line too much to deal with
They are conceding shots and having to react
the rebound falls to Gil but he slashes it horribly over the bar
who has attracted plenty of attention from sides across Europe thanks to his fine form at Girona
I suspected Girona may be playing with a back three/five
with Gutierrez at the left extremity of the defence
it's Daley Blind as an orthodox left-back in a defensive four
with the former Real Madrid man occasionally in a three-man midfield
alongside Oriol Romeu and Donny van de Beek
He is also sometimes pushing up to the left wing when Yaser Asprilla drops into midfield
his technical and crossing ability will pose a threat to Liverpool
Girona get a chance to break and mix urgency with patience to work some space down the left for Gutierrez
His low cross is excellent and should really be turned in
but a completely free Daley Blind can’t connect properly from just a few yards out
Back come Liverpool immediately with Salah
but he prods a left-footed shot wide of the far post
But he loses his footing for his first chance
and sees Alisson off his line quickly to repel the second
Think it would have been ruled out for offside if he had scored
This game has suddenly become extremely open
Spain is where Mallorca (12-8-13) will meet Girona (9-8-16) on Monday
Girona are priced at +125 while the Pirates are at -145
The expected starting goaltenders will be Paulo Gazzaniga for Girona and Leo Roman for Mallorca
The Blanquivermells sit at 63rd in relation to goals expected with 37.2
Girona FC conceded 52 goals while conceding 1.58 goals per 90
and opposing clubs have 136 SoT against them
Their goal differential is at -12 as a result of 40 goals notched in addition to 52 goals relinquished
which gives them a % of 18.2% on the campaign
Girona has compiled 82 SVs and also have a save rate of 61.8% on the year
Girona has a total of 71 yellow cards over the course of the season and 2 red cards
this club sports an average of 1.06 points per contest (35 points) and they also sit at 51st among Big 5 teams with 28 assists
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the Pirates have a save % of 70.3% (128 SoTA)
and also sit at 47th in European soccer with 44 pts
The Pirates average 1.3 points per match while earning 21 assists and 6 red cards
Mallorca has amassed 31 goals and the squad's expected goals this year is at 35.8
The Pirates have tallied a shut out percentage of 24.2% so far this year and 70 yellow card cautions
This club's goals against per 90 min is currently at 1.15 with 91 saves
Mallorca has a rank of 23rd in relation to goals surrendered having 38
and the squad's difference in goals is sitting at -7
The man who will protect the net for Girona is Paulo Gazzaniga
Gazzaniga has seen the field for 13,391 mins and has 430 saves in his career
His goals allowed per 90 minutes is 1.36 (203 goals allowed) and he has a save percentage of 67.6%
The goalie hailing from Argentina has faced 636 shots attempted at him in 148 starting assignments
Gazzaniga (61-33-54 mark in his career) has recorded 30 shutouts
which has earned him a 20.2%% clean sheet rate
Leo Roman will be looking after the net for Mallorca
Roman has allowed 13 goals and has earned 43 stops in 9 starting assignments
He has surrendered 1.44 goals per 90 minutes while earning a mark of 3-1-5
He holds a save percentage of 78.2% and his clean sheet rate is 33.3%%
Roman has totaled 3 clean sheets and has defended 55 shots against him in 810 minutes throughout his career
Cristhian Stuani is one man who can make an impact for Girona
The forward representing Uruguay has accumulated 218 goals in 34,285 minutes played
Stuani has had a starting assignment in 355 matchups so far in his career and scores 0.57 goals per 90 minutes
He has totaled 27 assists while earning 463 pts during his soccer career
who the defense is sure to gameplan for in this matchup
The forward from Canada has totaled 20,161 mins and has earned 104 goals
He is averaging 0.46 goals per 90 and has been given a starting assignment in 230 outings during his soccer career
He has earned 233 points in his pro soccer career and has helped on a goal 25 times
Who will win tonight's soccer game against the spread
Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Girona (-145)
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Three years ago today, Girona were preparing for what was already a key game of the season — even at the early stage
Michel was two months into his job as manager and his new side had suffered three consecutive defeats against Ponferradina, Sporting Gijon and Malaga in the Spanish second division. On September 18, 2021, Real Valladolid were the visitors in what was already being considered a must-win match
It would be more than fair to say Michel turned things around. Valladolid were beaten 1-0. Girona went up to La Liga that season through the play-offs. This evening, they will make their Champions League debut after a sensational top-flight campaign last term
There are a few things you need to know about Girona
they were in Spain’s Tercera Division (which back then was the country’s fourth-highest league)
is not a place known for its sporting achievements
“Girona citizens were mainly Barcelona, Real Madrid or even Espanyol fans,” Girona president Delfi Geli
“I’ve seen football games at Montilivi (Girona’s 14,624-capacity home stadium) with 200 people in the stands
This was our reality and the closest we could get to the elite
The city once had a basketball team in the national top flight
The story of how Girona managed to go from an amateur football institution to a Champions League football club is seen as a fairytale
but it’s a success story that was supercharged by the risk of bankruptcy
As Girona were establishing themselves into the Spanish second tier in 2013
they entered insolvency proceedings after building up a reported €2.3million ($2.5m; £2m) debt with the Spanish tax authorities — and a further €800,000 debt with public health services
This is when then-majority owner Josep Delgado, a local businessman, began to look for a way out. That search for a new investor ended up with Pere Guardiola, the brother of Manchester City manager Pep
He acted as a mediator with French investors TVSE Futbol to buy an 80 per cent stake in the club
with €380,000 required to cover short-term costs such as player salaries
It saved Girona in the short term — and in the longer term served as a stepping stone for City Football Group (CFG) to eventually join the project
That would take place in the summer of 2017
Girona suffered three promotion play-off defeats in four years (2013
2016) before finally reaching their target of making it to La Liga
After a second-place finish in Spain’s second tier in 2016-17
CFG and Pere Guardiola purchased the stakes TVSE Futbol owned and Girona became a CFG satellite club
One player who lived through all this is club captain and former Middlesbrough striker Cristhian Stuani
has been through one relegation from La Liga
two failed attempts to get back to the top flight
Stuani is the player with the most goals in Girona’s time in Spanish professional football
and the most important player in the club’s history
He stayed in Girona after relegation in 2018-19
rejecting proposals from La Liga and making compromises with his salary to stay
Now he is far from his peak and the squad has younger and more promising strikers, such as Spanish Olympic champion Abel Ruiz, 24, or 25-year-old North Macedonia forward Bojan Miovski
Michel confirmed Stuani will start in Paris
The mayor of Girona planned to attend the game and 1,000 travelling fans are expected
They have already been on quite the ride to get here
Inside Girona's unlikely rise: Pep Guardiola's brother
Girona’s remarkable achievements last season saw them finish third in La Liga with 81 points
just four points behind second-placed Barcelona — who they beat twice (4-2 home and away)
with only champions Real Madrid scoring more (87)
fearless and passionate approach brought Michel and his players the most plaudits
had a tough job to do in reassembling a whole new team with aspirations to compete in the Champions League
They spent a reported total of €44million on 11 new signings and broke their old transfer record fee (€8m for Dovbyk) three times
preferred to speak anonymously to protect relationships — some were secured thanks to the good publicity the project has earned
The biggest signing was Yaser Asprilla from Watford
who arrived in a deal worth an initial €18million
Asprilla and his family were treated to a charm offensive that included a tour through the city and the club’s facilities. A clear plan was outlined on how Girona would provide the best platform for him to keep progressing. Asprilla had more lucrative proposals from the Premier League
Gil was a target for his boyhood club Sevilla
but Girona ended up being the most appealing proposal
was determined to play Champions League football and chose Girona instead of Ligue 1 side Lille
Sources involved in the negotiations said Villarreal
saw in Girona a better scenario for the player to gain value before next summer’s transfer window
Girona had the 14th-highest salary limit of La Liga clubs
at €52million (way behind Real Madrid’s €727million
that has jumped to €94m — now seven clubs are above them
La Liga’s salary limits are set individually for clubs and are calculated according to a club’s revenue
Girona’s is set to experience a significant boost
They announced income of €55million in 2022 and €60m in 2023
Club sources now say they expect to announce income of well over €100m before the end of this year — thanks to the impact of Champions League qualification and player sales this summer
But reaching Europe’s elite club competition has brought a few headaches
Girona’s very participation in the competition had a big question mark around it
In order for both Manchester City and Girona to take part in the Champions League
UEFA rules on multi-club ownership had to be met
there was another change in the Catalan club’s ownership structure
CFG reduced its shares of Girona to 30 per cent — the maximum UEFA would allow — by selling 17 per cent to an independent blind trust
The three CFG executives that were part of Girona’s board also had to step down
Man Utd and Nice can play in same competitions
offers limited room for expansion as it’s located close to a hill and borders multiple local university buildings
the ground can hold just under 15,000 fans
of which about 6,000 are housed in temporary stands
Those are not permitted for UEFA competition
so capacity for home Champions League games is down to around 9,700
The expectation for away fans is to have only 700 tickets available for every game in Montilivi
Girona executives explored the possibility of playing Champions League games in Barcelona
either at Barca’s temporary home the Estadi Lluis Companys or Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium
Both hold over 40,000 and an analysis made by Girona estimated that a further €4million could be brought in through further ticket sales
Girona’s board of directors decided the team should stay at Montilivi
The club wanted to make sure their most loyal fans
could experience top-level European football in their own home
there is also a belief that by playing in Montilivi the team has a bigger chance of winning games
therefore recouping the money that playing in Barcelona would have provided
UEFA has required Girona build a new media area in the stadium to satisfy the Champions League demands
They also have a new press conference room
located in the stadium’s basement in a space that was formerly the players’ gym
Two temporary tents outside the stadium will become UEFA’s hosting spaces
When Girona finally make their home bow in the competition — they welcome Feyenoord on October 2 — the Montilivi will become the smallest stadium to host a Champions League game open to the public over the past decade
the first step on their European adventure comes at PSG
including post-match interviews and reactions
as Robert Lewandowski’s two goals lead Barca to victory
This page is now closed, but a summary of the football match is available below and you can go here for our full match report. Thanks for joining us at Al Jazeera Sport
The 23rd edition of the international youth football tournament MICFootball (MIC-Mediterranean International Cup) will be the largest in history
with 444 teams playing 1,092 matches in 43 municipalities in the province of Girona
and Palau-Saverdera are the venues joining in 2025
The more than 8,000 players participating will be divided into nine age categories
More pitches than ever (59) will host the competition
This year’s MICFootball was presented in the Sessions Hall of the Girona Provincial Council in the presence of forward Cristian Stuani
footballer and captain of the Girona FC first team and sponsor of the tournament
president of the Girona Provincial Council
stated that “the MIC is a perfect combination that generates synergies between the event and our region
Beyond the great qualitative contribution to our tourism sector
it also makes the dreams of young footballers from our home teams
allowing them to face the world’s biggest clubs.”
One of this year’s sponsors is forward Cristian Stuani
who explained what it means for a footballer to play in a tournament with the characteristics of MICFootball
and an honor to be part of this edition of the tournament
Being able to support an initiative like this
which has become a World Cup for youth categories
I put myself in the shoes of the boys and girls who will play in the MIC; their simplicity and passion for this sport remind me of when I was little
and the ball was my joy,” said the Uruguayan
He also looked back on his time as a player with the Montilivi club: “When I signed
I never imagined I would be able to experience such a journey or such wonderful things
I was very excited to join a club that still had so much to achieve
And it’s true that I’ve had options to leave
but I’ve always been happy and comfortable in a city that has welcomed me
The relationship with the club and with Girona has become a bond that’s hard to break
and I don’t regret having decided to stay here all this time.”
The presentation was also attended by the Spanish Government’s sub-delegate in Girona
Pere Parramon; the president and director of MICFootball
David Bellver and Maite Colomer; the territorial representative of Sport in Girona
Narcís Casassa; and the director of Institutions at CaixaBank in Girona
Mayors and councilors from the municipalities that will host the championship
also attended an event that served to announce all the details of this edition
Copyright © 2025 MICFOOTBALL | Aviso legal y Política de privacidad
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Miguel Gutiérrez's future is increasingly distant from Real Madrid | Real Madrid Confidencial FIRST TEAM The Reason Why Real Madrid Has Almost Ruled Out Miguel Gutiérrez's ReturnThe Future of Girona's Left Back Continues to Be a Hot Topic02/05/2025 14:20:00h by Enrique Sanz
Amid the Debate About Real Madrid's Left Back Future, the Name of Miguel Gutiérrez Resurfaces. Girona's "3" has always been present in those conversations, especially due to his good performance with the Catalan team since he arrived at Montilivi three seasons ago. But the current soccer season has completely changed those perspectives.
The fact of balancing his competition in LaLiga and his new participation in the Champions League has led to catastrophic sports results in the 24/25 campaign. Míchel's pupils have lost much of the hard-earned credit from last season, causing the situation of several players to change radically: one of them is Miguel Gutiérrez.
That's why Real Madrid hasn't yet parted with their share of Miguel Gutiérrez's ownership. The white sports management is aware that the left back's future is far from the former white youth player and they are waiting for the opportunity to sell "to make a profit". Only then would the folder of the Madrid defender be definitively closed at the white club.
To that perception of the bosses led by Florentino Pérez are added the demands of Carlo Ancelotti. Because the Reggiolo coach, in his constant requests for signings during this season, "never pushed for him" as a reliable alternative to Fran García and Ferland Mendy. The dilemma in which the white executives find themselves is very complicated.
On one hand, they could accept his transfer from Girona. That maneuver, however, would mean that both Spanish clubs would have to split the final amount of the operation, a decision that is not very popular in the Valdebebas offices. The alternative, however, would involve a greater strain and even more doubts and uncertainties.
Miguel Gutiérrez in the Girona jersey last season | Real Madrid ConfidencialReal Madrid could acquire his services this very summer, but that would mean that Miguel Gutiérrez would have to remain throughout the entire 25/26 season in Santiago Bernabéu locker room. FIFA regulations prevent buying and selling players during the same transfer market, making the only possible option a loan. During that period away from the white club, the left back could increase in value.
But his current performance at Girona leaves doubts about the resulting possibilities of that option. That's why the debate about the left back, as well as the resolution of Miguel Gutiérrez's future, is far from over. There aren't many names on the table, and their contracting conditions are also not appealing to the merengue executives.
leaving the Italians well-placed to book a spot in the round of 16
Leao broke the deadlock in the 37th minute with a stunning shot into the roof of the net from a low cross by Ismaël Bennacer, who won the ball around the halfway line and dribbled past Girona's midfield to set up the Portugal winger
are sixth in the table on 15 points with the top eight earning automatic qualification for the round-of-16 stage
They travel to Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb for their last league phase fixture on Jan
Debutants Girona, who have a single league phase win, are 31st in the table with three points and have no chance of securing a spot in the playoffs when they host Arsenal in their final game
Milan were on the front foot in the opening stages and Girona keeper Paulo Gazzaniga was forced into early saves to deny a neat Tijjani Reijnders free kick and Leao's low attempt towards the right post
The hosts then struck the woodwork twice through Theo Hernández, who hit the bar, and Yunus Musah
who rattled the post from the edge of the area
But Leão tempered their enthusiasm when he scored for the third consecutive Champions League game
having managed only three goals in his first 24 appearances in the competition prior to this run
The last Milan player to score in three successive Champions League games was Zlatan Ibrahimović
who netted in five in a row between 2011 and 2012
The visitors ended the first half with more possession, and Spain forward Bryan Gil thought he had equalised before the hour mark with a lovely curled shot inside the far post -an effort that was ruled out for offside
Girona coach Michel replaced his entire front line when he made four changes around the 70-minute mark
fresh legs were not enough to turn the match around and Milan extended their winning streak in Europe's elite club competition to five games
In the two previous campaigns when Milan won five or more games in a row
they went on to finish runners-up in 1993 and 2005
A first-half goal by winger Rafael Leão helped AC Milan to a 1-0 home win against Girona in the Champions League on Wednesday
Leao broke the deadlock in the 37th minute with a stunning shot into the roof of the net from a low cross by Ismaël Bennacer, who won the ball around the halfway line and dribbled past Girona's midfield to set up the Portugal winger
They travel to Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb for their last league phase fixture on Jan
Debutants Girona, who have a single league phase win, are 31st in the table with three points and have no chance of securing a spot in the playoffs when they host Arsenal in their final game
Milan were on the front foot in the opening stages and Girona keeper Paulo Gazzaniga was forced into early saves to deny a neat Tijjani Reijnders free kick and Leao's low attempt towards the right post
The hosts then struck the woodwork twice through Theo Hernández, who hit the bar, and Yunus Musah
The visitors ended the first half with more possession, and Spain forward Bryan Gil thought he had equalised before the hour mark with a lovely curled shot inside the far post -an effort that was ruled out for offside.
Girona coach Michel replaced his entire front line when he made four changes around the 70-minute mark.
However, fresh legs were not enough to turn the match around and Milan extended their winning streak in Europe's elite club competition to five games.
In the two previous campaigns when Milan won five or more games in a row, they went on to finish runners-up in 1993 and 2005.
snapping their six-game winless run across all competitions
The hosts dominated proceedings and took the lead just past the half-hour mark when Miguel Gutierrez's free kick deflected off Lopez and the top corner of the net
"It's not the best goal of my career but at the end of the season it counts," Lopez said
This gives us more peace of mind and we're satisfied."
Ruiz doubled the advantage with a close-range header from a Gutierrez cross in the 39th minute before substitute Danjuma netted a first-time effort nine minutes from time
Girona moved up to eighth place with 25 points
Valladolid remained second-bottom on 12 points
David Lopez, Abel Ruiz and Arnaut Danjuma secured Girona a 3-0 LaLiga home win over relegation-threatened Real Valladolid on Friday
The hosts dominated proceedings and took the lead just past the half-hour mark when Miguel Gutierrez's free kick deflected off Lopez and the top corner of the net.
\"It's not the best goal of my career but at the end of the season it counts,\" Lopez said. \"We have played good games at home. Today we dominated the entire match.
\"We have to take it one game at a time. This gives us more peace of mind and we're satisfied.\"
Ruiz doubled the advantage with a close-range header from a Gutierrez cross in the 39th minute before substitute Danjuma netted a first-time effort nine minutes from time.
Girona moved up to eighth place with 25 points. Valladolid remained second-bottom on 12 points, four adrift of the safety zone.
Master in mgmt, methology and Football Analytics
There are many curious facts surrounding Girona FC
such as these five interesting stories about the Catalan club
Girona FC were one of the most attractive teams in all of Spanish football last season
as Míchel’s side embraced a very attacking style
They’ll once again be one of the teams to watch in 2023/24 and here are five fun facts you might not know about the Catalan club
from how the club was born to the story behind their colours to one of their most important figures.
as well as the club in official communications
This nickname is related to the many times the Catalan team unsuccessfully attempted to win promotion to the top flight through the playoffs
they had their first chance to go up in a playoff
they have participated in another five playoffs
Football has been played in the city of Girona since the beginning of the 20th century
some football enthusiasts and businessmen from the city joined forces to create the current Girona FC
which soon became the local reference point for football fans thanks to a promotion in the first years of existence.
The red and white colours are thanks to the city council
The birth of Girona FC was followed by a decision by the city council that set the club on a particular course
That’s because the city council authorised the club to use the city’s coat of arms on its badge and kit
The city’s coat of arms contains a silver and bright red colour
which led to the club’s shirts replicating these colours from the very beginning
Girona FC has become defined by these characteristic colours
Stuani has long been Girona FC’s goal machine
If there is one name that stands out in Girona FC’s history
The Uruguayan arrived at the club in the 2017/18 season
the institution’s first in the top flight of Spanish football
he has been scoring goals for the club and has become their all-time top scorer
On two occasions he has been top scorer of Spain’s second division
as he decided to stay despite the team’s relegation in 2019
ultimately proving key as Girona FC won their latest promotion in the 2021/22 campaign.
Home of one of the longest-running summer tournaments
which has been held at the Estadi Montilivi almost every summer since 1970
The trophy has been won by clubs such as San Lorenzo de Almagro
Girona FC have even managed to defeat clubs such as Tottenham and Manchester City at their stadium
achieving memorable wins against these glamour opponents in one of the most prestigious pre-season tournaments in Spanish football
Real Madrid reacted to Barcelona and Atletico Madrid’s wins on Saturday by comfortably beating Girona on Sunday
the 2-0 win against Girona means Los Blancos are second but level on points with Hansi Flick’s team
The afternoon at the Bernabeu included reference to Spain’s refereeing controversy
After the referees issued two statements in the last week pointing out the “atmosphere of hatred and generalised violence against our collective”
Madrid and Girona posed before the match behind a banner: “Respect the referee
But local fans whistled the referees and chanted their now-regular “Corruption in the Federation” song as soon as Madrid and Girona took to the pitch
Those chants were repeated on at least four occasions during the game
several of them without any controversial play involved
But there was so much more to the match: a solid Madrid without the banned Jude Bellingham; the never-ending Luka Modric leading the side (he will be 40 in September); and David Alaba putting himself firmly in contention for a starting place from now on
The Athletic’s Mario Cortegana was there and analyses the key talking points…
'f*** you' and TV language lessons: How the Bellingham red-card debate took over Spain
Bellingham’s red card last Saturday meant Carlo Ancelotti would be without one of his key players for the next two La Liga fixtures (unless the club’s second appeal is successful) and
following his yellow in the second leg against Manchester City
for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Atletico
a common solution in Bellingham’s absences in his first season in the team
To accommodate the Spain-born Morocco international
Madrid changed their formation to a 4-4-2 with Brahim on the right
Rodrygo on the left and Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior up front
“We wanted to have more of an edge on the outside,” Ancelotti explained in the press conference
And it worked because his players generated more danger than in the first half and Vinicius Jr
It was a liberating game for the Brazil forward
who had not scored in La Liga since his hat-trick against Osasuna on November 9
Perhaps that’s why he was a little nervous
But after 105 days and six games (he missed three through injury and three through suspension)
Vinicius Jr turned home in the 83rd minute to make it 2-0
He received the ball from Mbappe in midfield
played it back to the France international into space after feinting past an opponent and Mbappe set up him for the goal
Vinicius Jr then did his trademark celebration
covering his eyes with one hand and pretending to shoot a gun with the other
Vinicius Jr usually imitates Mbappe’s celebration when the Frenchman scores and this gesture was another sign that the dressing room’s health is intact
This was made clear by two other moments: in the 58th minute
when Vinicius Jr hit the crossbar in a great move
Mbappe rushed over to cheer him on; and in the 75th minute
when Vinicius Jr shot too high and Mbappe was in a good position to receive his pass
but the latter held back from making any disapproving gesture
Vinicius Jr has contributed 31 goal involvements (18 goals scored and 13 assists
Mbappe has contributed 32 (28 scored and four assists)
17 shots (five on target and 12 off target)
kept a clean sheet after six games conceding
and allowed their opponents just four shots (two on target and two off target)
Real Madrid have recorded six wins and a draw without the England midfielder
but his absence is still seen as a major disadvantage by everyone at the club
Alaba started his first match 434 days after suffering a serious knee injury in December 2023
The Austria centre-back played with academy product Raul Asencio
which allowed Antonio Rudiger some rest having played 3,086 minutes this season
though he came on for four minutes at the end
explained to The Athletic before Alaba’s return that Ancelotti
had pushed to have him available as soon as possible
Ancelotti had given him some minutes in every game except against Espanyol
after which it became known that he suffered an adductor injury in his left leg
Ancelotti values the former Bayern Munich man’s leadership and experience highly
as well as the fact that he is the only left-sided centre-back in the squad
he played at the end of the 3-1 win against Manchester City
and his start against Girona will not be the only one in the short- to medium-term
“Can he be in the line-up for the first leg against Atletico
well positioned with the ball and without the ball… We mustn’t forget that he was ready a month ago and he had the injury
A risk for him could be to play every three days
but he can handle a game a week without a problem.”
“I’m very happy after such a long time injured,” Alaba said on Real Madrid TV
one recovery and 44 successful passes of 48 attempted
he would form a centre-back pairing alongside Rudiger
which would allow Aurelien Tchouameni to return to midfield
who against Girona again performed at a high level in his natural position
The player to drop to the bench would be Asencio
who faced the derby against Atletico in La Liga and the first leg against Manchester City without any first-team centre-backs available
holidays with physios and inspirational bench role
In the 41st minute, at 0-0, he picked up a clearance from David Lopez at the edge of the box from a corner kick, chested the ball down, let it bounce once and immediately shot into the top corner past former Southampton, Tottenham and Fulham goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga. (Click here to watch the goal.)
Ancelotti summed up the goal and Modric’s game best
“It’s a gift for football,” the coach said
he has to continue until he wants to,” he added about the Croatia midfielder’s future
wants to continue at the club and talks will not start until later in the season
applauded and you could read “¡Qué golazo!” (“What a goal!”) on his lips
when the goal was replayed on the huge screens around the stadium and the crowd naturally let out an “Ohhh!”
with plenty of spectacular deliveries from all across the pitch to Mbappe
when he was replaced by Rudiger near the end
gave him a standing ovation and chanted his name
When Ancelotti was asked if Modric (who has provided four goals and six assists in 1,789 minutes this campaign) would deserve to be the first Real Madrid player to feature for Los Blancos at 40 years old (his birthday is September 9)
“I had another 40-year-old player who won a Champions League: Maldini,” Ancelotti said
“The two can be compared perfectly on what a footballer has to be
It’s the key to reaching 40 like Maldini and Luka Modric.”
(Top photo: Modric scoring his wonderstrike; by Angel Martinez via Getty Images)
GIRONA, Spain -- Barcelona's Lamine Yamal struck twice in the first half to help deliver a commanding 4-1 win at Girona on Sunday that extended their perfect start to the season with a fifth consecutive win
Yamal gave Barça a two-goal lead with strikes in the 30th and 37th minutes while Dani Olmo extended their advantage right after the break with a first-time effort from close range
Barça are top of LaLiga with 15 points, four ahead Real Madrid and Villarreal
GIRONA, Spain -- Barcelona's Lamine Yamal struck twice in the first half to help deliver a commanding 4-1 win at Girona on Sunday that extended their perfect start to the season with a fifth consecutive win
Yamal gave Barça a two-goal lead with strikes in the 30th and 37th minutes while Dani Olmo extended their advantage right after the break with a first-time effort from close range
Barça are top of LaLiga with 15 points, four ahead Real Madrid and Villarreal
Last year's surprise package Girona were shocked by fourth-division side Logroñés on Wednesday as they were knocked out 4-3 on penalties from the Copa del Rey in the second round of the competition thanks to an unlikely hero for the lowly hosts
a 19-year-old left-back who had to step up and play as a stand-in goalkeeper after starter Kike Royo sustained an injury in extra-time when Logroñés manager Sergio Rodriguez had already used all the substitutions allowed
Arnau, who is the son of the late Barcelona and Málaga goalkeeper Francesc Arnau and brother of fifth-division Mollerussa keeper Marc Arnau
showed he is no stranger to the task and made several saves to withstand Girona's pressure and take the match to a penalties shootout following a goalless draw
Then, Arnau once again flashed and saved a spot-kick from Girona star striker Abel Ruiz, with Cristhian Stuani hitting the crossbar later to seal the home side's stunning victory
After Espanyol was knocked out 2-0 by lowly Barbastro on Tuesday, Girona were not the only LaLiga side to also kiss goodbye early to the Spanish Cup as Villarreal were stunned by fourth-division's Pontevedra 1-0 thanks to a last-gasp goal by Dalisson de Almeida
Valladolid needed to go to extra-time to beat Real Avila 4-2 and advance
while Leganes beat fourth-division Estepona 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw
Valencia, Betis, Celta Vigo, Las Palmas and Rayo Vallecano all advanced with easy wins
Atletico Madrid will face Cacereno on Thursday while Real Madrid and Barcelona will only debut in the next round of the competition.
Donny van de Beek gave Girona an early lead with a volley from a rebound before Mallorca levelled through Canada forward Larin in the 20th minute after a counter-attack
The home side were reduced to 10 men after the half-hour mark when striker Vedat Muriqi was sent off for a foul on Girona winger Bryan Gil but Larin took the lead for Mallorca after the break despite the disadvantage
Mallorca, who suffered consecutive defeats against Barcelona and Celta Vigo
provisionally moved up to fifth on 27 points after 18 games while Girona remained ninth with 22 from 17
Girona have now lost four consecutive game across all competitions
The visitors looked well set to break their unfortunate cycle when Van de Beek put them in front after seven minutes
Mallorca were quick to equalise when Larin went on a solo run from the halfway line before he found Muriqi approaching the edge of the box
The Kosovo striker squared the ball back to Larin
who netted low into a corner with his first touch
Mallorca's high spirits were briefly cut short when they were left with 10 men after 32 minutes but Larin was in the right place at the right time when he took advantage of a defensive error by Girona to seal the three points
Larin was quicker to the ball when Girona defender Juanpe sent a risky pass back to goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga
scoring with a slide into the far corner from close range
Girona, who on Tuesday stood up to Liverpool in the Champions League until a 63rd-minute penalty by Mohamed Salah sealed their defeat
had no more attempts on target after their early goal
Donny van de Beek gave Girona an early lead with a volley from a rebound before Mallorca levelled through Canada forward Larin in the 20th minute after a counter-attack
The home side were reduced to 10 men after the half-hour mark when striker Vedat Muriqi was sent off for a foul on Girona winger Bryan Gil but Larin took the lead for Mallorca after the break despite the disadvantage
Mallorca, who suffered consecutive defeats against Barcelona and Celta Vigo
Larin was quicker to the ball when Girona defender Juanpe sent a risky pass back to goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga
Girona, who on Tuesday stood up to Liverpool in the Champions League until a 63rd-minute penalty by Mohamed Salah sealed their defeat
Coming just three days after the 3-0 defeat of Osasuna, Barça were back out on the Estadi Olímpic field this Sunday for the Catalan derby with Girona. It was no easy ride, but they ended up rolling home comfortable 4-1 winners, and will spend another week three points clear of Real Madrid
who came from behind to beat Leganés 3-2 the night before
Barça took the lead thanks to an own goal just before half-time
the home side turned up the heat in the final minutes with Robert Lewandowski (2) and Ferran Torres sealing all three points for an extraordinary ninth game in a row
Barça should have been leading long before they finally did find the net on 43 minutes
The main reason Barça hadn’t converted any of their host of attempts was Paulo Gazzaniga
his save to deny a Ronald Araujo header probably the best of his many interventions
One of the biggest talking points of the half was whether a push on Fermin López’s back had been inside or outside the box… the referee eventually deciding
There could be less arguing that Jules Kounde’s well-taken goal was offside
but Barça finally found the lead with more than a little fortune
Lamine Yamal was having a typically brilliant game
and it was his free-kick that produced what will not go down as the most graceful goal of his career
it was hard to work out how the ball went in at all… it had taken a deflection off Ladislav Krejcí’s hand
utterly flummoxing Gazzaniga and trickling over the Girona line
but it was no less than Barça deserved and they went in at the break comfortable 1-0 leaders
and against a side winless in its last six outings
things were on sweet course for a three more points
Hence it was a most unexpected blow when Girona pulled level just a few minutes into the second half
playing his Dutch compatriot Arnaut Danjuma through
Time for Mr Pichichi to set things straight
Just eight minutes later and a tremendous series of quickfire passes ended with Fermín López supplying the killer header
It didn’t look like Lewandowski would be able to reach it
but his outstretched foot somehow made the contact required to re-established Barça’s lead
The Mexican wave around the stadium had perhaps started a little earlier than advisable
for another Girona equaliser was by no means out of the question
But the celebrations could truly start when the third goal went in
Frenkie de Jong played the supporting role and the finish was as exquisite as we could expect from a man like Lewandowski
and the three-point lead at the top of the table was safely restored
Ferran Torres fired home a Gerard Martín assist five minutes from the end
his fourth goal in three games and ninth in total this season
and the crossbar denied Lamine the chance to top a wonderful afternoon with what would have been the most stunning of goals
Next up for Barça is the continuation of their Copa del Rey semi-final with Atlético Madrid on Wednesday
while La Liga resumes with a game at home to Real Betis on Saturday
Carlo Ancelotti's side made easy work of last year's title contenders
even if the manager now has further knocks to worry about
Real Madrid got back to winning ways as Jude Bellingham
Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler provided the goals in a comfortable 3-0 win over Girona in La Liga on Saturday
A difficult first half gave way to an easy second
Bellingham bossing proceedings for an hour while Mbappe looked much improved ahead of a decisive Champions League match against Atalanta on Tuesday
Los Blancos were on the back foot early on
but the home side never capitalised and were made to pay
bashing one into the back of the net from the top of the box through a crowd of Girona legs
who finished across the goalkeeper after darting in behind
and finding the bottom corner with a driven effort from a tight angle
There are some injury worries as Bellingham was taken off on the hour mark after grabbing his thigh
and Ferland Mendy also required medical assistance
this win was about as comfortable as they come after a prolonged difficult period for the reigning champions
GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Montilivi..
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