Claudio Echeverri was the hero for Girona as they secured a memorable 2-1 victory over Barcelona on Tuesday, playing a pivotal role in a result that sent shockwaves through La Liga.
The Manchester City loanee’s performance helped his side grind out the win, capped by Fran Beltrán’s dramatic late strike.
However, the game featured a controversial moment in the buildup to Girona’s winner. Barcelona centre-back Jules Kounde appeared to be impeded by Echeverri, prompting debate over whether a foul should have been called.
The Argentine midfielder addressed the incident candidly after the match.
“I don’t know, I didn’t see the play. Do you have it there? Yes, I stepped on him, but I was coming at speed. Maybe it was unintentional, but…,” he said. Asked if he would have accepted a referee’s call against him, Echeverri laughed: “Yes, I would have, but it’s no big deal. Luckily, they gave us the victory.”
The victory was particularly sweet for Echeverri, who spoke openly about his personal journey.
“Those were difficult months in Germany. I had a very bad time and today I’m here, happy and with the intention of getting back to the form that led to my being sold to City,” he reflected.
He also praised the challenge posed by Barcelona, acknowledging their status as one of the world’s elite teams.
“They are the best team in the world. Obviously, we had to suffer, but the team played very well, ran a lot, and that’s why we took the victory,” Echeverri added.
