BILBAO, FEB 20: Gironas unlikely La Liga title bid suffered another dent in a 3-2 defeat by Athletic Bilbao on Monday, with Alex Berenguer striking twice for the Basque side.
After leaders Real Madrid were held to a draw by Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, the Catalan minnows, second, hoped to cut the six-point gap but lost in a gripping clash at San Mames.
Michel Sanchezs side are now only two points ahead of champions Barcelona and seven in front of fifth-place Athletic, chasing a top four spot.
Girona have failed to win any of their last three league matches.
After Berenguer sent Athletic ahead, Viktor Tsygankov levelled for Girona.
However, Berenguer and Inaki Williams quickly netted for the hosts and although Eric Garcia pulled one back, Girona could not find the equaliser.
"We lacked a bit of determination in the final third ... I think the second half was good," said Girona coach Michel, who watched from a box as he was banned from the touchline.
"We have to continue, we can ask the team to always win and we have to keep fighting to stay up there."
Athletic took the lead inside two minutes after Girona playmaker Aleix Garcia played a dangerous ball across the face of his own area.
Berenguer intercepted and drilled home inside the near post, catching out Paulo Gazzaniga.
Girona lacked their usual zip, still chastened from last weekends heavy 4-0 thrashing by Real Madrid.
The Catalans pulled level at the start of the second half when Tsygankov turned home Ivan Martins cross. —AFP
