Against a Las Palmas against whom they had not lost for almost a decade. A Canarian team that had not won at the Gran Canaria Stadium since February and that, furthermore, started at the start of the match in the penultimate position of the League, tied on points with the bottom team. The context outlined an affordable duel for Girona. But for the people of Girona, with a full infirmary, any match is an exercise in survival.
And far from enjoying one of the fortunate islands, the Catalans suffered the misfortune of football. The red and whites were defeated (1-0) by Diego Martínez’s renewed team, which added its second consecutive victory, and they added Alejandro Francés to a long list of casualties, up to ten, which increases with each match.
The delicate circumstances of the team caused the youth squad Selvi to make his debut as a starter, who had only played residual minutes in two games the previous season.
Van de Beek scored, but the referee saw a foul in a slight touch by Miovski on Álex Suárez’s face
As always since Míchel has been on the bench, the team showed personality. Girona went on the attack in the island stadium. That initial boldness translated into a team play that ended with the ball in the net after a shot by Van de Beek. The goal, however, was annulled by Miovski’s slight touch with his forearm on Álex Suárez’s face when he was trying to protect himself. “What happened?” Míchel asked himself in the band after cutting off his celebration.
The Girona people came close to scoring again with a double chance, with shots from Arnau and Miguel that Cillessen repelled. Girona had the situation under control, only conceding long shots, until misfortune struck again. Francés fell to the ground in the 42nd minute, due to a muscle injury, and without being able to make the change, with ten red and white players, Álex Muñoz opened the game with a free shot. To make matters worse, the goal came through Francés’ zone.
The goal left Míchel’s team shaken, almost knocked out, and they languished in a more abrupt second half where they barely came close to scoring. They safely dominated a withdrawn Canarian team, in accordance with the score, which was credited to the counterattack. A timid header from Miovski and a long shot from Miguel was the offensive balance.
Las Palmas, on the other hand, spurred on by the result, was able to put the game away after a loss of the ball by Arnau that ended with a shot against the post, almost into an empty goal, by Moleiro. The image of Arnau lying on the ground and dizzy, after a chance knee from McBurnie, was the harsh epilogue for a Girona that this season is experiencing a via crucis. How far away are the good moments of last year.
Technical sheet:
Las Palmas, 1 – Girona, 0
UD Las Palmas: Cillessen; Viti (Mika Mármol, min. 85), Álex Suárez, McKenna, Álex Muñoz; Essugo, Campaign (Javi Muñoz, min. 59); Manu Fuster (Sandro, min. 59), Kirian (Mata, min. 85), Moleiro; and Fábio Silva (McBurnie, min. 70).
Girona FC: Gazzaniga; French (Pope, min. 43), David López, Krejci, Miguel; Arnau (Minsu, min. 90+4), Van de Beek, Selvi (Blind, min. 66), Danjuma; Misehouy and Miovski.
Goal: 1-0, min. 42: Álex Muñoz.
Referee: Alejandro Quintero González (Andalusian Committee). He showed a yellow card to the local players Campaña (min. 21), Essugo (47), Mata (90+5) and Sandro (90+7), and to the visitors Van de Beek (72), Blind (87), Arnau ( 90+1), David López (90+2) and Krejci (min. 90+6), as well as his coach, Míchel Sánchez (43). In addition, he expelled Juan Carlos, Girona’s substitute goalkeeper (77), from the bench for protesting.
Incidents: match of the eleventh day of LaLiga EA Sports 2024-2025 played this Saturday at the Gran Canaria Stadium with the presence of 21,506 spectators. The kick-off was performed by Armide Soliveres from the Canary Islands, the first Spanish champion of the World Bodyboard Circuit.
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