Girona defeated Atletico Madrid, coach Simeone was stunned: 'The opponent was too classy'
Báo Thanh niên•04/01/2024
Early morning of January 4, Girona and Atletico Madrid created an exciting match with 7 goals. The home team Girona won 4-3 to continue with Real Madrid to create a two-horse race in La Liga.
At the end of 2023, Girona is the 2nd team in La Liga. They have the same 45 points as the top team Real Madrid but have to rank behind due to a lower head-to-head difference. Right behind Girona is Atletico Madrid of coach Simeone. Therefore, the confrontation between the 2 teams in round 19 of La Liga received a lot of attention.
Girona proved that it was no coincidence that they were the team with the best attack after the first leg of La Liga season 2023 - 2024. Coach Miguel Sanchez's students continuously led Atletico Madrid thanks to 3 goals from Valery Fernandez, Savio and Daley Blind in the first half.
Girona made Atletico Madrid concede 3 goals in the first half
However, all three times Girona were leveled by Atletico after Morata's classy hat-trick. Notably, this was Morata's third hat-trick in his career. Previously, the Spanish striker had done the same when he was a Real Madrid player (against Leganes in the 2016-2017 season) and when he played for Chelsea (against Stoke City in the 2017-2018 season).
Morata has the third hat-trick of his career
The brilliance of goalkeeper Jan Oblak helped Atletico Madrid's goal stand firm in the second half against the terrible pressure created by Girona. However, in the last minute of extra time, the Slovakian goalkeeper tried his best but was helpless as Ivan Martin brought home the winning goal 4-3 for Girona. Coach Simeone was stunned after the loss to Girona. He had words of admiration for Girona: "Atletico played with great effort but Girona played with class. They were superior until the 35th minute of the first half. Losing 1-3 after the first 45 minutes, Atletico was able to equalize 3-3. The whole team's goal was to win but Girona still showed excellence. This was a great and exciting match. I am not surprised by their position, especially when looking at the way this team played on the field."
Coach Simeone disappointed with loss to Girona
The dramatic victory helped Girona have 48 points and continue to compete with Real Madrid on the rankings. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid has 38 points and has been 10 points behind the two teams above them, Girona and Real Madrid. They could even lose 3rd place to Barca if this team wins against Las Palmas tomorrow (4.1). In the previous match, Real Madrid also won 1-0 against Mallorca. Center-back Antonio Rüdiger became the hero of the "White Vultures" when he scored in the 78th minute. The German player just returned from injury and he made a smart move, heading the ball beautifully from a corner kick on the left wing by Luka Modric.
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