Athletic Club - Girona FC

Athletic Club produced a superb display of football to defeat Girona FC 3-0 on Saturday. Oihan Sancet was the hero of the evening, with the attacking midfielder scoring all three goals.

The Lions stay in fourth place after a huge performance in which Ernesto Valverde's charges were excellent all over the pitch.

It was a fantastic game. Sancet gave Girona an early taste of what was to come with a shot that went over the bar. After adjusting their press slightly, Athletic gradually wore down Michel's side. Paulo Gazzaniga started to face an onslaught from the home side. 

The Argentinian saved an Iñaki Williams effort after Gorka Guruzeta flicked on a corner to the far post.

In the 37th minute, Mikel Jauregizar was fouled by Miguel Gutierrez in the box. After a VAR check, the penalty was given.

Sancet felt no pressure going up against the Argentinian goalkeeper, who had saved three penalties in the reverse fixture. The midfielder slotted his effort in to the top corner.

Athletic could have doubled their lead immediately. The Lions robbed the ball high up the pitch again and a Beñat Prados cross found Oscar de Marcos diving in at the far post. Gazzaniga stuck out a right foot to deny our captain a goal.

But Athletic kept looking for the second and they got it in stoppage time. The superb Alex Berenguer chipped a ball across goal for Sancet to head home.

Girona struggled to react after the break. Their only decent chance was a Bryan Gil effort which Unai Simón saved.

Valverde brought on Maroan Sannadi with 25 minutes to go and our new striker demonstrated how much of a handful he can be. The forward held up the ball well before playing through Sancet, who fumbled when through on goal.

The no.21 made his presence felt and showed some neat touches, even forcing a save from Gazzaniga.

It was the prelude to our third goal. Iñaki stole possession and threaded a pass through for Sancet. This time around, the no.8 made no mistakes, chipping a finish over the onrushing keeper to send San Mames wild.

Txingurri brought on another debutant in Endika Buján, a childhood teammate of Unai Gomez at local feeder side Danok Bat, and another player who cut his teeth at Barakaldo.

The Cathedral revelled as the Lions pushed forward and played well. In many moments, it was a San Mamés worthy of the Champions League, just like our team.