Spanish media divided over 'elegant' Blind: 'That is the weak point of Girona'

The match at Estadi Montilivi, featuring Girona and Atlético Madrid, was hailed as an exceptional display of football, rich in opportunities and goals, by AS. 

The game was notably marked by Álvaro Morata's hat-trick, which highlighted the vulnerabilities in Girona's defensive pairing of Eric García and Daley Blind. AS pointed out that this duo, particularly under the pressure of Morata's attacking prowess, became the evident weak point for Girona.

Marca, another major Spanish sports daily, described the encounter as chaotic and unpredictable. They particularly focused on Daley Blind's goal, which momentarily brought the score to 3-1 in favor of Girona. This goal, according to Marca, held a fleeting sense of decisiveness, mirroring the rapid pace and shifting momentum of the match. Despite the goal, Blind received a modest rating from Marca, earning just one out of three possible stars. In contrast, Girona's Yan Couto and the matchwinner Iván Martín received the highest accolades for their performances.

Sport, meanwhile, offered a more favorable view of Blind's contribution to the match. Awarding him a score of 7, just behind Martín, the publication praised Blind for his intelligent passing, composure under pressure, and elegance with the ball. His defensive solidity and unexpected scoring ability, particularly evidenced by his goal from a corner, were highlighted as key aspects of his performance.

El Mundo Deportivo presented a more mixed assessment, recognizing Blind's challenges in the defensive aspect of the game. They noted that Blind, along with his defensive partner Eric García, struggled to cope with the physicality and aerial threat posed by Atlético Madrid's forwards. This difficulty in handling crosses and defending against taller players was seen as a significant issue, yet the publication still saw fit to award Blind two out of three stars, acknowledging his overall contribution to the game.

The divergent views from these Spanish media outlets reflect the complexity of evaluating a player's performance, especially in a high-stakes, dynamic match such as this one. While Blind's offensive contributions were largely recognized and appreciated, his defensive capabilities, particularly in partnership with Eric García, were seen as a point of concern. This match, therefore, not only highlighted Blind's individual skills and areas for improvement but also underscored the tactical challenges faced by Girona in competing against top-tier teams like Atlético Madrid.