Echeverri's Cheeky Foot-Fault Fiasco: Girona's Loan Star Shocks Barça and Silences the Critics
Claudio Echeverri starred in Girona's shock 2-1 LaLiga victory over Barcelona, assisting the winner amid controversy over a foul on Jules Koundé. The 20-year-old Argentine, on loan from Manchester City after a tough spell at Bayer Leverkusen, hailed the result as a turning point in his career. Hansi Flick admitted Barcelona deserved the loss, leaving them two points behind Real Madrid.
Alright, footy fans, grab a pint because we've got a proper LaLiga upset to chew over. Girona, those plucky underdogs from the City Football Group family, pulled off a right old smash-and-grab against Barcelona, winning 2-1 and leaving Hansi Flick's lads ruing what might have been. And at the heart of it all? Young Claudio Echeverri, the 20-year-old Argentine wizard who's been on a bit of a rollercoaster since Man City snapped him up from River Plate back in 2024.
Picture this: Echeverri rocks up at the Etihad with all the hype of a new Messi in the making, dazzles in three cameo appearances under Pep Guardiola, then gets shipped out on loan to Bayer Leverkusen last summer. What happens? A grand total of 270 minutes across 11 games. Ouch. 'Difficult months,' he called it. Sounds like the kind of spell that'd have you questioning your life choices over a late-night empanada.
Fast forward to January, and he's back in the CFG fold on loan at Girona. Debuts in LaLiga, fourth start against the mighty Barça, and boom – he helps set up the 86th-minute winner that sends the Camp Nou faithful into meltdown. 'I'm here, happy, trying to get back to the version that got me sold to City,' Echeverri beamed to reporters after the match, as reported by Adriana Garcia at ESPN Spain. The kid was all grins, admitting the win felt massive against 'the best team in the world.'
Girona ran their socks off, pressed like madmen, and nicked it. Echeverri hopped on in the 72nd minute and got stuck in, threading that crucial pass for the decider. But hold the celebrations – Barça weren't happy. Jules Koundé and his mates were screaming blue murder about a foul in the build-up. Echeverri, bless him, owned up post-match on El Chiringuito TV: 'Yeah, I stepped on his foot... but I was running fast, maybe accidental.' VAR had a squint, shrugged, and waved it on. Echeverri shrugged too: 'I would've understood a foul, but luckily we got the victory.' Cheeky sod.
Over in the Barça camp, Hansi Flick wasn't mincing words. No excuses, mate – his side 'deserved to lose.' Oof. Add in Lamine Yamal bottling a penalty, and suddenly those two points behind Real Madrid feel like a chasm. Girona leapfrog to 12th, Barça cling to second, and the title race just got spicier.
For Echeverri, this is the spark he needs. From River Plate prodigy to City signing, Leverkusen benchwarmer, now Girona hero – it's like a Netflix series, innit? 'We ran a lot, played well, and that's why we won,' he said. 'Hopefully this pushes us forward.' The lad's got that hunger back, and with Girona's setup mirroring City's in some ways, he could be cooking soon.
Barça? They've got quality for days, but slip-ups like this remind you LaLiga's no stroll in the park. Flick's lot complained about the 'clear' foul, but sometimes football's about grabbing your chances – foot on face or not. Echeverri's already plotting his next trick: 'I tried to help my team, glad I could score that goal.' Well played, kid. Keep your feet on the ground (and off Koundé's toes).
This win's a statement for Girona, showing they're no pushovers even against the big boys. For Echeverri, it's redemption arc loading. Watch this space – the boy's got that scintillating form bubbling up again. LaLiga, you beauty.