GIRONA: Newcomers Girona were minutes away from beating Atletico Madrid in a stunning debut in La Liga until Atletico Madrid demonstrated their remarkable team spirit to score twice after the sending off of Antoine Griezmann to salvage a 2-2 draw on Saturday.

Girona looked set to enjoy a dream top flight bow when Uruguay international Cristhian Stuani rose to head in a sweeping cross from Alex Granell midway through the first half and three minutes later showed his predator’s instinct to nod in a loose ball from close range.

Atletico’s hopes seemed to have gone when Griezmann was controversially dismissed 23 minutes from time for two successive bookings, one for diving to try and win a penalty and another for dissent.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Atletico responded heroically to salvage an unlikely point as Argentine forward Angel Correa pulled one back with a long range strike in the 78th minute.

Defender Jose Gimenez then beat Girona goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz to Koke’s chipped free-kick to head Atletico level in the 85th minute and cap a thrilling encounter at the Montilivi stadium, which was hastily expanded for the club’s first Liga game.

LACKLUSTRE START

Sevilla struggled in their home debut and couldn’t manage more than drawing with Espanyol 1-1 with Argentine midfielder Ever Banega being sent off for two successive yellow cards on his first game back at the Andalusian club, one for a foul and the other for protesting the foul.

Clement Lenglet put the hosts ahead in the first half but Leo Baptistao equalised less than 10 minutes later.

Sevilla were in contention for the title last season but couldn’t do much in their first league game under coach Eduardo Berizzo, who replaced Jorge Sampaoli.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Real Sociedad twice came from behind to win 3-2 at Celta Vigo, snatching three points with a late penalty from Willian Jose after Uruguayan Maxi Gomez had scored twice on his debut for Celta.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2017