MADRID: Ukraine forward Artem Dovbyk scored twice as Girona wrote another chapter of their Cinderella story on Monday with a dominant 3-0 win over Alaves to leapfrog Real Madrid and reclaim top spot in the La Liga standings.

The lowly Catalan side, part-owned by the owners of Manchester City, have forged ahead and sit alone at the top of the standings on 44 points, two ahead of Real Madrid and nine clear of last season’s champions Barcelona in third.

Girona’s stunning start to the LaLiga season scaled new heights last week when they claimed a statement 4-2 victory over Barca their first league win over their Catalan rivals and they kept the ball rolling against Alaves.

They dominated proceedings with the same intensity they have shown this season, with their 3-0 defeat at home to Real in late September, the only major blip in a stunning start to the campaign.

Dovbyk opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a close-range strike from a rebound off the goalkeeper and Portu extended their lead just before the break with a fine angled shot from the edge of the box.

Most of the hosts’ scoring opportunities came from the right side of their attack, with 21-year-old Brazil fullback Yan Couto troubling Alaves’ defence with his speed and skill.

On one of his sprints up the wing, he knocked the ball through a defender’s legs to get into the box before being fouled from behind in the 59th minute, earning a penalty that Ukrainian Dovbyk netted with a tidy finish right down the middle of the goal, his 10th of this Liga campaign.

The win was Girona’s 14th in 17 games, giving them the most wins and points in Europe’s top five leagues at this stage of the season.

Their remarkable run has fuelled belief that they are equipped to challenge for a maiden title only two seasons after gaining promotion to the top flight.

But coach Michel said Girona have to earn the right to be regarded as title contenders alongside giants Real, Barca and Atletico Madrid.

“Real is going to fight for the league. Barca is going to fight for the league. Atletico is going to fight for the league,” Michel told reporters. “We have to earn that right... [and] end the year in the best way.

“I expected a much tougher game, much more complicated with transitions from the opponent but we didn’t let them do it at any time,” the Spaniard said. “The reality is that we are in good shape and we have had an incredible first half of the season.”

Girona will visit Real Betis in their final match of 2023 on Thursday.

“Trying to win at Real Betis’ field, which is a beautiful game to play with a spectacular atmosphere and with the maximum difficulty because it is also a team that will be fighting in Europe,” Michel said.

Girona’s best finish in LaLiga is 10th, so there is optimism they will at least make history this season.

“There is still a lot left and we have to enjoy the moment. We have to go game by game and recognise that these players are making history,” he added.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2023