Girona’s improbable La Liga title campaign took another knock on Monday when the Basque side defeated them 3-2, with two goals from Alex Berenguer.
The Catalan minnows, in second place, attempted to close the six-point deficit after leaders Real Madrid were held to a draw by Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, but they were defeated in an intense match at San Mames.
In their pursuit of a top four slot, Michel Sanchez’s team is currently only two points ahead of champions Barcelona and seven ahead of Athletic in fifth place.
Girona has lost all three of their recent league matches.
Viktor Tsygankov pulled Girona even after Berenguer had put Athletic ahead.
Though Eric Garcia pulled one back, Girona was unable to find an equalizer as the hosts swiftly took the lead with goals from Berenguer and Inaki Williams.
Aleix Garcia, the playmaker for Girona, delivered a dangerous pass over the face of his own area, and Athletic seized the lead within two minutes.
After intercepting the ball, Berenguer blasted it home inside the near post, catching Paulo Gazzaniga off guard.
Girona was without their typical intensity, still smarting after Real Madrid’s crushing 4-0 defeat the previous weekend.
At the beginning of the second half, Tsygankov headed home a cross from Ivan Martin to bring the Catalans level.
After yet another Girona error, Berenguer scored his second goal, ending Girona’s chance to maintain parity.
Gorka Guruzeta snatched the ball from Miguel Gutierrez as he dallied on it and crossed for Berenguer to finish.
As Inaki Williams scored Athletic’s third goal, Girona’s defense was completely overwhelmed.
After Aleix Garcia crossed the ball, Eric Garcia headed home to give Girona an opportunity to salvage a point.
Deep into stoppage time, Athletic defender Dani Vivian produced a superb save to head John Solis’ shot off the line and into safety.
