Girona FC secured a high-impact victory in LaLiga by defeating FC Barcelona 2-1 at Montilivi, a result that reopens the fight for the title, strengthens their European aspirations and deepens the doubts of Hansi Flick's team after the recent thrashing suffered against Atletico de Madrid in the Copa del Rey (4-0).

Girona's blow not only breaks their negative streak, but also leaves Barca without the lead and in the midst of a crisis of confidence in the decisive stretch of the season.

Girona's comeback and a night of errors for Barcelona

Barcelona took the lead with a goal from Pau Cubarsi, after an intense first half with numerous chances. Lamine Yamal even missed a penalty that could have extended the lead.

However, the team managed by Michel Sanchez reacted with character. The equalizer came from Thomas Lemar, and only some excellent saves from Joan Garcia prevented the score from becoming 2-1 earlier. The decisive goal came in the 87th minute, scored by Fran Beltran, unleashing local euphoria and confirming the comeback. Flick acknowledges Barca's poor form. After the match, Hansi Flick didn't hide his self-criticism and acknowledged the opponent's superiority in the second half. "I don't want to talk about it because I think everyone saw the situation, but in the end, Girona deserved it in the second half. They had many chances, and we defended particularly poorly on the counter-attack because we were too open," explained the German coach. The coach also left a clear message for his squad: "Hunger to win every match." Flick admitted that he perceived his players as lacking freshness and acknowledged that, after the heavy defeat against Atletico in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals, it was “more important” to win at Montilivi to regain confidence.

LaLiga is red hot and Girona has its sights set on Europe

With this result, Girona breaks a three-game winless streak and is fully back in the fight for survival—five points above the relegation zone—but they also have their sights set on the top flight:eighth place, which offers European qualification, is just two points away. Meanwhile, Barcelona is now two points behind the new leader, Real Madrid, further tightening the battle for the LaLiga title. Flick, aware of the physical and mental exhaustion, gave the team two days off to "reset," hoping they will return with "a different mindset." He also reminded them that the season is "a long road," that Barca has "time to recover its best form," and that they will "fight" for the titles. The defeat in Girona not only impacts the LaLiga standings but also reopens the debate about Barcelona's current form at a crucial stage of the season.