Shock Spanish title challengers Girona returned to the highest of La Liga with a 1-0 at Celta Vigo on Sunday. Michel Sanchez’s facet moved one level away from Real Madrid, who beat Las Palmas on Saturday, though the Catalan workforce have performed yet another match. Portu completed nicely within the twentieth minute to ship Girona forward in a match they largely dominated however couldn’t make secure by discovering a second purpose. Rafa Benitez’s Celta, provisionally sixteenth, sit two factors above the relegation zone.

Girona, within the high flight for under the fourth season of their historical past, proceed to battle with Spain’s giants for La Liga.

“We knew we had to take advantage of the chances we had, in the first half we made a lot of chances to score, they had some too,” stated Girona winger Portu.

“At this stage of the league the important thing is three points and competing.”

Girona gamers and workers have been reluctant to confess the workforce is in competition to win the title.

“The main thing for us is that we shouldn’t be thinking too far ahead, that would be a mistake,” added Portu.

“We know that we are leaving teams behind us to get into the European places, we have to be realistic, and that’s our objective.”

On a tough pitch at Celta’s Balaidos stadium, Girona took the initiative from the beginning.

“We had a lot of personality to keep the ball in conditions that were difficult to play on,” stated Girona coach Michel.

“They had chances, as did we, but I think we were fair winners.”

Yangel Herrera hammered into the facet netting as an early warning and Celta goalkeeper Vicente Guaita saved out an Artem Dovbyk header.

The Ukrainian, La Liga’s joint high goalscorer with Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham on 14 objectives, got here shut on different events however couldn’t add to his tally.

Girona’s Paulo Gazzaniga saved nicely from Oscar Mingueza earlier than his workforce took the lead.

Miguel Gutierrez discovered Portu, who manoeuvered nicely and stroked dwelling on the close to publish.

Viktor Tsygankov fired over after being teed up by his compatriot Dovbyk on the finish of a slick workforce transfer.

Celta threatened by way of Jorgen Strand Larsen, who headed towards the crossbar, however that was as shut as they got here to an equaliser.

‘We had possibilities’

Girona tightened up defensively in a hard-fought second half and Celta couldn’t carve out any clear possibilities because the clock ticked down.

“We had chances in the first half to equalise or even to go in front, and these kind of opponents don’t let you off the hook,” stated Celta Vigo midfielder Renato Tapia.

Barcelona, third, misplaced 5-3 at dwelling towards Villarreal on Saturday, after which coach Xavi Hernandez stated he would depart the membership in June.

Girona’s victory means reigning champions Barcelona are actually 11 factors off the highest, in third place.

Athletic Bilbao moved provisionally fourth after drawing 0-0 at Cadiz.

Ernesto Valverde rotated after his workforce’s extra-time win over Barcelona within the Copa del Rey midweek, they usually began slowly.

Cadiz had the higher of the primary half with Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon making two stable saves to disclaim Ruben Alcaraz and Ruben Sobrino.

Mauricio Pellegrino’s workforce secured some extent from his first sport in cost but it surely was not sufficient to take Cadiz, 18th, out of the relegation zone.

Later Sunday Atletico Madrid host Valencia and Sevilla welcome Osasuna.

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