At 4:30 a.m. Beijing time on January 4, the 19th round of La Liga in the 2023-24 season ushered in a key battle: Girona VS Atletico Madrid. A conversation between two favourites.
Girona this season, full of dark horses, the first 18 rounds of battles, 14 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss, 45 points, the same points as the top Real Madrid, goal difference, mutual record at a disadvantage. Atletico Madrid has 18 games, 12 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses, accumulating 38 points, ranking third in the La Liga standings, the same as the fourth Barcelona, with an advantage in goal difference and a disadvantage in each other's records.
In the first game of this round, Real Madrid defeated Mallorca 1:0 at home, and continued to lead the La Liga standings with 48 points in 19 games.
Yes, Atletico Madrid started the 3142 formation, Morata and Griezmann partnered in the front, midfielders Lino, De Paul, Llorente, Riquelme, back Koke, three central defenders Hermoso, Gimenez, Witsel, goalkeeper Oblak. The starting eleven is worth a total of 260 million euros.
Girona started the 4411 formation, with Dovbik in front and Torre behind, midfielders Valery Fernandez, Alex, Martin, Savio, four defenders Gutiérrez, Blind, Garcia, Jan Cuto, and goalkeeper Gazzaniga. The starting eleven is worth a total of 150 million euros.
In the second minute of the opening game, Torre went straight to the ball, Valery Fernandez took the ball in the front of the penalty area and cut inside to volley, the ball went in! Girona led Atletico Madrid 1:0.
Girona gets off to a dream start!
In the 14th minute, Griezmann's header in front of the field was ferried, Morata scored in the penalty area, the linesman signaled that Morata was offside, VAR intervened, confirmed that there was no offside, and the referee determined that the goal was valid. Atletico pulled the score to a 1-1 draw.
In the 27th minute, Koke was robbed of the ball at the back, Martin hit the goal in the penalty area, was saved by Oblak, Savio scored a supplementary goal, Girona 2:1 Atletico Madrid, and took the lead again.
In the 39th minute, Alex Garcia picked up a cross from the left side of the penalty area, Dovbek stretched out his foot in front of him, and Blind scored from close range at the back post. Girona 3:1 Atletico.
In the 44th minute, De Paul dribbled the ball forward and backward in the backfield, and Morata stepped forward to take the ball and then entered the penalty area to deduct the defense and hit the goal. Atletico 2:3 Girona.
In the 54th minute, De Paul went through and Morata scored with a pick. Atletico 3:3 Girona.
Alvaro Morata scores a hat-trick!
A draw is not satisfying for both sides. In stoppage time, Martin scored a solo kill. Girona 4:3 Atletico Madrid.
It's a battle, Girona, like Real Madrid, has 48 points in 19 games, and is still second in the La Liga standings, Atletico Madrid still has 38 points in 19 games, and the third position may not be kept.