Girona Beats Mallorca 5-3 to Take Provisional Lead of Spanish League

Girona's David López (R) celebrates after scoring the 1-1 equalizer goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Girona FC and RCD Mallorca in Girona, Spain, 23 September 2023. (EPA)
Girona's David López (R) celebrates after scoring the 1-1 equalizer goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Girona FC and RCD Mallorca in Girona, Spain, 23 September 2023. (EPA)
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Girona Beats Mallorca 5-3 to Take Provisional Lead of Spanish League

Girona's David López (R) celebrates after scoring the 1-1 equalizer goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Girona FC and RCD Mallorca in Girona, Spain, 23 September 2023. (EPA)
Girona's David López (R) celebrates after scoring the 1-1 equalizer goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Girona FC and RCD Mallorca in Girona, Spain, 23 September 2023. (EPA)

Girona routed Mallorca 5-3 to climb to the top of the Spanish league on Saturday ahead of other matches for this round.

Girona moved one point ahead of overnight leader Real Madrid, which visits Atletico Madrid on Sunday. Barcelona can pull level with Girona if it beats Celta Vigo at home later Saturday.

Under coach Míchel Sánchez, Girona is the revelation of the season so far. The modest team from Spain's northeastern Catalonia region has won five straight games since a season-opening draw with Real Sociedad.

After beating Granada 4-2 last round, it has now scored nine goals in its past two games.

“(Being leader) is anecdotal, we are happy for the victory. Winning five in a row in the first division is not at easy task,” Míchel said. “Even more important than the results is the sensation we have, knowing that we are competing well and have a clear idea of how we want to play.”

Mallorca went ahead early through a fourth-minute penalty converted by Vedat Muriqi. But Girona roared back with goals by David López, Artem Dovbyk, Iván Martín, Yangel Herrera and Sávio before substitute Ábdon Prats reduced the deficit for Mallorca with a late brace.

Also later Saturday, Sevilla visits Osasuna while Almeria hosts Valencia.



Arteta Urges Arsenal to Carry Champions League Momentum into Brentford Clash

Football - Champions League – Quarter-final - First Leg - Arsenal v Real Madrid - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - April 8, 2025 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Champions League – Quarter-final - First Leg - Arsenal v Real Madrid - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - April 8, 2025 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after the match. (Reuters)
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Arteta Urges Arsenal to Carry Champions League Momentum into Brentford Clash

Football - Champions League – Quarter-final - First Leg - Arsenal v Real Madrid - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - April 8, 2025 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Champions League – Quarter-final - First Leg - Arsenal v Real Madrid - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - April 8, 2025 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after the match. (Reuters)

Arsenal are high on energy following Champions League win over Real Madrid and manager Mikel Arteta has urged his side to carry forward the momentum to their Premier League home game against Brentford on Saturday.

Arsenal stunned Champions League holders Real Madrid with a 3-0 victory on Tuesday and Arteta is now keen for the team to turn their attention to the Premier League, where they currently trail league leaders Liverpool by 11 points.

"There's been an unbelievable energy, a special night. That's over. Now full focus on Brentford, it's a game that is going to require the best of us," Arteta told reporters on Friday.

"It's not about bringing them back to earth, it's about maintaining the energy and putting it into Brentford. It's a team that, when you look at what they've done, is an incredible story. A big credit to them."

With a demanding schedule ahead, including Saturday's game against 12th-placed Brentford and the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid on Wednesday, Arteta said he will rotate players according to the schedule rather than the opposition.

"We will look at how the players recovered, because it's not just about the Real Madrid game, it's about the schedule in the next few weeks as well," Arteta said.

"... This is our context - play every three days and play in different competitions on the biggest stages. Playing in Europe then coming back and facing a different challenge in the Premier League.

"If you want to become a team that has the capacity to win in any of those then you have to do it every three days, regardless of the scenario."

Arteta said Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are both fit after coming off with knocks against Real, however, he did not put a timeline for the return of defender Riccardo Calafiori, who injured his knee last month.

The 43-year-old also hinted at an early return for midfielder Kai Havertz, who underwent surgery after a hamstring injury in February.

"The mindset of those two players (Saka and Havertz) is very similar. Great injury history, work ethics, desperate to get back as quickly as possible. A great medical staff to look after them," he said.

"Hopefully we can have him (Havertz), but let's wait. But the last stage of the rehab, it's when you can understand better to make that last step."