Girona delivered a statement performance, brushing aside any relegation fears with a commanding 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao, whose winless streak stretched to four games across all competitions (D1, L3).
Michel’s side had been hovering near the relegation zone, but their encounter with an Athletic team still dreaming of European qualification, even amid a largely underwhelming season, turned into a showcase of frustration for Los Leones.
The early blow came just four minutes in, courtesy of one of Athletic’s own. Hugo Rincon, on loan at Girona from Athletic, slotted home a superb angled finish after a sweeping move from left to right, immediately exposing the visitors’ defensive frailties.
Athletic have now failed to keep a clean sheet in 13 consecutive league matches.
The match continued at a lively pace, with Girona denied a penalty when Daley Blind went down in the box after a tangle with Andoni Gorosabel.
Meanwhile, Athletic struggled to test Paulo Gazzaniga, as Inaki Williams marked his 500th appearance for the club with a tame header from Yuri Berchiche’s cross that drifted wide.
Girona had chances to extend their lead before halftime, but Unai Simon was equal to Vladyslav Vanat’s close-range effort, tipping it to safety.
The second half saw Athletic push harder for an equalizer, only to be repeatedly thwarted by Gazzaniga, who denied Gorka Guruzeta, Aymeric Laporte, and Mikel Jauregizar in quick succession.
Despite their efforts, the hosts remained in control, and frustration mounted for Valverde’s men.
Relief finally came for the Catalans in the 78th minute when Azzedine Ounahi doubled Girona’s advantage.
Claudio Echeverri’s overhead kick set up the Moroccan midfielder for a first-time finish past Simon, leaving Athletic to lament their missed opportunities.
In stoppage time, Ounahi completed his brace, finishing Tsyhankov’s pass to seal a dominant 3-0 win and score his first goal for Girona.
This vital triumph lifts the Blanquivermells nine points clear of the relegation zone, with a top-half finish now firmly in sight. Athletic, meanwhile, remain mired in mid-table obscurity, their European ambitions hanging by a thread.
