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I don't think it's Girona that is blocking Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, but Atletico Madrid and Barcelona's performance this season is quite bad so they can't put pressure on Real Madrid in the competition for the title this season, while Girona only makes a surprise without being able to put pressure/compete in the race. This season's La Liga title with Real Madrid because in terms of strength they are not capable or equal to Real Madrid.
Finishing in 2nd or 3rd position is the same because a team that cannot win the title will only focus on being able to finish in the top 4 positions so that they can get a ticket to the Champions League next season, but it all comes back to the prestige of being able to finish in the best position, and every team has motivation for it.
If you think so, then I don't completely deny it. Girona is a surprise in La Liga this season and their performances against the likes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have been very different, meaning they have something to prove. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid failed to respond well and both dropped points, while Girona failed to establish themselves as serious contenders.
You also realize that no team can always perform consistently throughout the season without dropping points, so perhaps it is natural that teams like Barcelona and Atletico Madrid lose a number of points when their opponents give 100% of their ability to get points. Stopping Barcelona may be easier than stopping Real Madrid, meaning you only need 10 players in the defensive area and close the space tightly and get 1 point as the lowest consequence. That's what many La Liga teams usually do against Barcelona, but they failed against Real Madrid.