Girona-Atlético de Madrid: Time.news, goals and chances

GIRONAUsually Girona’s matches do not follow any predetermined script. They’re no slouch at alternatives, used to excelling unexpectedly with very nice releases combined with nights when the team falls asleep against opponents they should at least match in intensity. The duels with teams from the lower zone have especially hurt, for what they mean at these heights of the League. The previous defeat, at Getafe, was tough. Against Atlético, the image had to change and so it did, although the end was quite cruel, with a Morata goal validated by VAR in stoppage time (0-1). The worst, and by far, were the injuries to Oriol Romeu and Aleix Garcia, and God forbid they are nothing, because they are more than half the team.

It was surprising to see how, exceptionally, the visit of Simeone’s men to Montilivi did follow a certain order. The Girona team, which aspired to finish the ninth day, but which in the event of defeat could feel the breath of relegation to four points – a sufficiently indicative example of how salvation will go -, was not as purposeful as it usually is Probably because he couldn’t.

The Memphis-Griezmann partnership came close to breaking the bank on several occasions, but neither striker was quite successful. Girona’s only chance in the first half was a low shot by Castellanos. Little, too little, to really hurt a Champions League rival.

But Míchel’s are also very good. Individually, Tsygankov excelled, forcing Oblak to avoid 1-0. It didn’t suit Girona to rush into the attack desperately and they had to try hard to avoid it, clinging to patience and the belief that their moment would come or, in the worst case, tattooing themselves that the point was a point. Girona took a decisive step forward, with attempts from Riquelme and a shot from the middle of the field by David López with the Slovenian goalkeeper advancing. But it didn’t score.

In the final stretch and with Atlético more disorganized – not so much either, but being a little more organized didn’t cost much – Girona started to push back little by little, as a result of injuries to Oriol Romeu and Aleix Garcia, that froze a stadium that was completely silenced by a goal from Morata in stoppage time, after the approval of the VAR. Not even with a point, which would effectively have been a point, a hard-working team could be formed that is now crossing its fingers so that the setbacks of the Ulldecona couple are just a scare.

• Girona: Gazzaniga, Arnau, Santi Bueno, David López, Miguel Gutiérrez, Oriol Romeu (Iván Martín, 75′), Aleix Garcia (Bernardo, 87′), Tsygankov (Toni Villa, 87′), Borja García (Valery, 64′ ), Riquelme and Castellanos (Stuani, 75′). Coach: Míchel Sánchez.
• Atlético de Madrid: Oblak, Molina, Giménez, Savic, Hermoso, Koke (Witsel, 81′), Lemar (De Paul, 62′), Llorente (Correa, 62′), Carrasco (Saúl, 76′), Memphis (Morata , 62′) and Griezmann. Coach: Diego Pablo Simeone.
• Goals: 0-1 Morata (90+1′)
• Referee: Melero López (Andalusian Committee).
• Yellow cards: Llorente (57′), Savic (66′), De Paul (90+8′), Stuani (90+11′) and Gazzaniga (90+12′).
• Red cards: None.
• Stadium: Montilivi, 12,499 spectators.