Cristhian Stuani of Girona FC celebrates after scoring the workforce’s second objective throughout the LaLiga EA Sports activities match between Girona FC and Valencia CF at Montilivi Stadium on December 2, 2023 in Girona, Spain
| Picture Credit score: Getty Pictures
Veteran striker Cristhian Stuani got here off the bench to rally Girona previous Valencia in a 2-1 win that put the season’s shock package deal again on prime of the Spanish league on Saturday.
The 37-year-old Stuani began the gorgeous comeback with a objective within the 82nd minute from a cross by fellow substitute Yan Couto.
Girona took the lead within the 88th when one other cross by Couto meant for Stuani seemed to be changed into the objective by Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera, though the league’s web site credited Stuani with the objective. Stuani himself stated that he believed it was an personal objective.
Girona moved three factors away from Actual Madrid, which holds the head-to-head tiebreaker with Girona, earlier than the powerhouse hosts the relegation-threatened Granada later.
“The workforce confirmed its satisfaction on this victory,” Stuani stated. “We live a dream, combating proper up there on the prime, and we are going to give it our all to remain there.”
The previous Uruguay striker joined Girona from Middlesbrough in 2017. He has since change into Girona’s all-time goalscorer and fan favourite after serving to it return to the primary division in 2022. As he has aged, Stuani has change into a priceless weapon off the bench, particularly because of his knack for scoring from crosses.
“We made a mistake that made the sport an uphill battle, however we threw all the things we had into the sport and it labored because of Stuani, who was nice,” Girona coach Míchel Sánchez stated. “Stu is the neatest participant within the space. After we put the ball within the field, he at all times seems. I’m comfortable for him. He’s probably the most liked participant in Girona.”
Ninth-placed Valencia had taken the lead towards the circulate of play at Girona’s Montilivi Stadium when Hugo Duro capitalized on a defensive error within the 56th. Duro broke free when he ran onto a go that Girona defender David López had unwisely let roll previous him earlier than chipping goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.
Girona is partly owned Manchester Metropolis’s Abu Dhabi possession, however its wage cap for gamers is just the thirteenth largest within the 20-team league with the record topped by Madrid at 727 million euros ($795 million).
Barcelona hosts Atletico Madrid on Sunday with each groups seven factors behind Girona. Atletico additionally has one other recreation in hand.
