Girona v Atletico Madrid | Match Highlights | LaLiga EA Sports Matchday 38
Girona v Atletico Madrid
On a sweltering Sunday afternoon at a sparsely attended Montilivi Stadium, Atlético Madrid closed out their 2024-25 LaLiga campaign with a commanding 4-0 victory over a struggling Girona side, thanks to a second-half hat-trick from substitute Alexander Sørloth and a header from Clément Lenglet. The result, while inconsequential in the context of a title race already won by Barcelona, provided a much-needed morale boost for Diego Simeone’s side, who finished third with 76 points, securing their place in next season’s Champions League. Girona, who had been the surprise package of the previous season, ended their disappointing campaign in 16th place with 41 points, narrowly avoiding relegation. The match, played in front of a half-empty stadium, lacked the intensity of a season-defining clash, but Atlético’s clinical second-half performance, spearheaded by Sørloth’s predatory finishing, offered a glimpse of their potential as they prepare for the upcoming Club World Cup. For Girona, the defeat was a sobering end to a season that saw them fall far short of their previous heights, setting the stage for a summer of reflection and rebuilding.
With Barcelona having clinched the LaLiga title more than a week earlier, the encounter at Montilivi carried little competitive weight for either side, allowing both managers to experiment with their lineups. Diego Simeone, ever the pragmatist, opted to rest several key starters, including goalkeeper Jan Oblak, whose remarkable record of conceding just 30 goals in 36 games earned him the lowest goals-to-games ratio in LaLiga for the fifth time in his illustrious career. In Oblak’s place, reserve goalkeeper Álvaro Morata was given a rare opportunity to shine, while other regulars like Antoine Griezmann and Koke remained on the bench for much of the game. Girona, too, fielded a depleted squad, with injuries and fatigue taking their toll after a season that saw them struggle to replicate the flair and consistency that had made them the darlings of LaLiga the previous year. Despite the lack of stakes, Atlético approached the game with their characteristic intensity, dominating possession from the outset and pinning Girona back in their own half. The hosts, under the guidance of manager Míchel, attempted to play their way out of trouble with their possession-based style, but their efforts were hampered by a lack of cutting edge and defensive lapses that Atlético would eventually exploit.
The first half was a cagey affair, with Atlético controlling the ball but struggling to create clear-cut chances against a Girona defense that, while fragile, held firm for the opening hour. The visitors’ dominance in midfield, led by the tireless Rodrigo De Paul, allowed them to dictate the tempo, but Girona’s goalkeeper, Paulo Gazzaniga, was rarely tested. The breakthrough finally came in the 68th minute, courtesy of a moment of brilliance from Sørloth, who had been introduced as a substitute to add firepower to Atlético’s attack. Girona’s defense, which had been under pressure throughout the match, crumbled when a misplaced pass gifted possession to De Paul in a dangerous area. The Argentine midfielder, with his trademark vision, played a precise ball to Sørloth, who found himself unmarked in front of an open goal. The Norwegian striker, known for his physicality and clinical finishing, made no mistake, tapping the ball into the net to break the deadlock. The goal sparked a shift in momentum, as Atlético sensed an opportunity to put the game beyond Girona’s reach. The Montilivi crowd, already subdued due to their team’s lackluster season, grew quieter still, sensing the inevitability of defeat against a side that, even in a rotated lineup, exuded quality and determination.
As the game entered its final stages, Atlético’s superiority became increasingly evident, and their second goal arrived in the 87th minute through an unlikely source. Clément Lenglet, the French defender on loan from Barcelona, rose highest to meet a corner kick that had been partially cleared by Girona’s defense. His powerful header found the net via a rebound, doubling Atlético’s lead and effectively sealing the victory. The goal was a testament to Atlético’s set-piece prowess, a hallmark of Simeone’s teams, and highlighted Girona’s vulnerability in defending dead-ball situations, a recurring issue throughout their campaign. With Girona’s resistance broken, Atlético capitalized on their momentum in added time, as Sørloth completed his hat-trick with two goals in quick succession. Both strikes came from rapid counter-attacks, with Sørloth exploiting Girona’s high defensive line to devastating effect. The first saw him latch onto a through-ball from Ángel Correa, outpacing the defenders before slotting the ball past Gazzaniga. The second, a clinical finish from a tight angle, capped a remarkable individual performance and underscored why Sørloth has become a key figure in Atlético’s attack. The 4-0 scoreline, while harsh on Girona, reflected Atlético’s ruthlessness and their ability to capitalize on their opponents’ mistakes.
The victory provided a positive end to what Axel Witsel described as an “underwhelming” season for Atlético, who finished third behind Barcelona (85 points) and Real Madrid (84 points). Athletic Club and Villarreal completed the top five, securing Champions League qualification, while Girona’s 16th-place finish was a stark contrast to their previous season’s heroics. Post-match, Witsel spoke to Movistar Plus about the significance of the performance, particularly in the context of the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States. “We played a good game, which will be useful for the Club World Cup in the United States that starts in less than a month because we will play many afternoon games under this same heat,” he said. “Sørloth is a machine and he doesn’t need many chances to score.” Witsel’s comments highlighted the importance of the victory as a preparatory step for Atlético’s challenging Group B fixtures against Paris Saint-Germain, Botafogo, and Seattle Sounders in the expanded 32-team tournament. For Simeone, the match offered a chance to assess his squad’s depth and resilience, with players like Sørloth and Lenglet proving their worth in a rotated lineup.
For Girona, the defeat was a sobering end to a season that had promised much but delivered little. Having captured the imagination of LaLiga with their attacking flair the previous year, their 16th-place finish, just one point clear of the relegation zone, was a stark reminder of the challenges of sustaining success in a competitive league. Míchel, whose tactical acumen had been lauded the previous season, will face scrutiny as Girona prepare for a summer of rebuilding. The loss of key players and a lack of consistency in key moments were recurring themes, and the performance against Atlético exposed their defensive frailties. Despite the disappointment, Girona’s fans could take heart from their survival in LaLiga, a foundation to build upon as they aim to rediscover their spark in the 2025-26 campaign.
As Atlético look ahead, the focus will be on addressing the inconsistencies that prevented them from challenging for the title. Simeone’s decision to rest players like Oblak demonstrated his confidence in the squad’s depth, but the Club World Cup and the upcoming Champions League campaign will test their ability to compete on multiple fronts. Sørloth’s hat-trick, a rare bright spot in an otherwise subdued season, offers hope that Atlético can rediscover their attacking edge. For Girona, the summer will be a time for introspection, with Míchel tasked with rebuilding a squad capable of competing in the upper echelons of LaLiga once again. The match at Montilivi, though lacking in competitive stakes, was a reminder of football’s unpredictability and the fine margins that separate triumph from disappointment. As the players left the pitch, Atlético could celebrate a job well done, while Girona turned their sights to a new chapter, determined to rise from the ashes of a forgettable season.
