Sports

Girona reclaim lead in LaLiga, Atletico move to third

Sports Desk, Jan 29 (EFE).- Surprise title challengers in the Spanish LiLiga Girona returned to the top table with a 1-0 win at Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Atletico Madrid beat Valencia 2-0 at home to leapfrog struggling champions Barcelona to third place on goal difference.

Girona, in the top flight for only the fourth season, have reached 55 points after 22 games, one point clear of Real Madrid, who have played one game less.

Spanish attacker Cristian Portu finished well in the 20th minute from inside the box to earn the lead for Girona, who dominated Celta at Balaídos but could not find the second goal.

Celta are two points above the relegation zone in 17th place.

“The team is on top because we are a competitive team, showing that the losses are not noticeable because we continue playing the same, going for the three points and getting them,” Portu said after the match.

The winger has refused to think about title charges as yet.

“If we think much further, we will be wrong. We are a team that thinks about the next game, although we know that we are leaving behind the teams that are fighting for European positions, and that is our objective,” he said.

“Fighting for European competitions was something unthinkable for such a small club,” he added.

Atletico eased above Barcelona, with Samuel Lino and Memphis Depay on target against Valencia, who are in eighth place.

Atletico dominated the game from the beginning but had to wait until the stoppage time of the first half to break the deadlock.

Lino, who played for Valencia on loan last season, finished clinically with his left foot after a long pass from Antoine Griezmann from Atletico’s own half found the Brazilian unmarked on the edge of the box.

Depay added the second goal in the 57th minute with a diving header from Nahuel Molina’s cross after midfielder Koke sent the ball into the right corner of the box.

“I think the team is working better. We are winning more duels than we did before, and that makes the team work well as a unit,” said Atletico coach Diego Simeone.

Athletic Bilbao were held to a 0-0 draw at Cadiz, while Sevilla were left content with a 1-1 draw against Osasuna in other matches of the night. EFE

am/pd

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