AFC Bournemouth’s final pre-season game ended in a 3-2 victory over Girona as Andoni Iraola's team bested the Champions League outfit at the Vitality Stadium.
With anticipation building ahead of the Premier League opening fixtures, Cherries fans were eager to see their team head to Nottingham full of confidence and momentum.
After the full-time whistle, the Spanish boss spoke to the media to share his thoughts on the game.
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How it happened
Bournemouth's final pre-season test finished a five-goal thriller. The Cherries started fast, and after just a few minutes, Ryan Christie was brought down inside the box.
For the last few seasons, Dominic Solanke has been the primary penalty taker. Given the striker's recent departure, the role was open for applications. Justin Kluivert was the one to step up and roll home with composure.
The lead would be held up until the 35th minute. A game of pinball occurred just outside the Bounrmeouth box, with the likes of Illia Zabarnyi and Christie being unable to clear their lines, and this led to a turnover. This was pounced upon by former Middlesbrough man Cristhian Stuani who made no mistake, slotting beyond the helpless Mark Traver s.
Girona maintained this momentum after the half-time break, taking just five minutes before earning the lead through a Joel Roca wonder strike.
However, Iraola's side fought back. First, it was Luis Sinisterra who levelled the scoring, latching onto a pinpoint Dango Ouattara cross.
The winner then came from Daniel Jebbsion, who, with just ten minutes to go, was assisted beautifully by Romain Faivre.
The Frenchman ghosted through the Girona defence, leaving the former Sheffield United talent with a simple tap-in to restore Bournemouth's lead and seal the win.
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The boss' thoughts
Cherries boss Iraola was happy with the victory but was cautious not to let expectations that come with beating a Champions League team emerge.
He said: "It’s a game where we were the better team, but we cannot feel confident because I know that they didn’t put out their strongest 11."
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Lack of cutting-edge
Having recently sold striker Dominic Solanke to Tottenham for a club record £65,000,000, Iraola highlighted a lack of clinical finishing in their latest outing.
The Spaniard said: "We should be more ruthless because we were in control of the game. We should score two or three, then control the game better."
"Definitely, we shouldn’t concede two goals today."
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"We had to do it in a difficult way"
After a strong start to the game, the door began to open for Girona, and Bournemouth's Spanish boss was well aware of this.
Iraola said: "We gave them chances after a very good 30 minutes I would say and they took them, they scored two goals and we had to do it in a difficult way."
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Playing a weakened Girona side
Girona travelled down to Dorset following a match against Newcastle on Friday evening, where they fielded a stronger side.
Iraola was keen to not let hopes get immeasurably high following his side's win.
He said: "I think we were better, I repeat, but it's true that we cannot say we beat Girona and everything is fine. No, no, I think they were not their starters or they had some starters kind of mixed [in]."
"We cannot fool ourselves and say we beat Girona. No, it wasn’t the best Girona possible."
Iraola also commented on how the latest contest compared to the Cherries' outing against his former side, Rayo Vallecano, the week prior.
He said: “I would have preferred if they put their preferred starting XI, like against Rayo (Vallecano) for example."
“Rayo went very strong and it was a more level game. Today you win 3-2 and it looks like a level game, but I think we were better."
While it was an impressive victory, it was not a complete performance according to the boss.
Iraola said: "I think we had more energy today.”
"I think there were good things but also things that we needed to improve."
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Update on captain's absence
Bournemouth's club captain Norberto Neto was omitted from the matchday squad against Girona, at the time for an unknown reason.
Iraola was quick to quash any rumours about the goalkeeper's place at the club.
The Spaniard said: "He woke up with back problems. If not tomorrow, then I expect the next day he will be fine.
"I think like we’ve done all of pre-season, in the friendlies we haven’t risked anyone."
