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The derby between Girona and Espanyol is ready to write a new chapter (follow the game live on As.com). Although the rojiblancos come to the duel with a sweeter hangover thanks to the Copa del ReyThe truth is that the dynamics of both in the League is very different. While parakeets are leaders, the rojiblancos are finding it difficult to get hooked to the playoff positions after chaining four days without winning (three draws and one defeat). Of course, in the first round the sensations that both gave off were not very different from the current ones and Girona already managed to give Espanyol a roll in their stadium (1-2).
But if something has characterized the last stakes between Girona and Espanyol, it has been that visitor is favorite. In First, Girona managed to win twice in Cornellà-El Prat and in the second laps, Espanyol made Montilivi their own. This course has followed the dynamics and now the parrots hope to conquer the rojiblanco fiefdom again. The difference is that Girona already has Stuani, is one hundred percent after his injury, and will be the main reference for Girona. In addition, the Uruguayan not only has the incentive to face one of his former teams but also will challenge David López. In their last duels, sparks have jumped, or rather elbows, and the central has suffered the odd nose fracture.
But Espanyol would do well to not only focus on Stuani because Francisco has already made it clear that he wants his team to be brave and ambitious. AND players like Samu Saiz and Monchu will try to add vertigo to the game. The rojiblancos need to start the second round on the right foot and the calendar that awaits them is ‘First’.
After playing against Espanyol they will play the round of 16 of the Cup against Villarreal and then they will return to the League to face Mallorca and Leganés. Francisco is aware of this, he does not want to take false steps and will present the 4-3-3 that has given him balance in the last duels. Gumbau will not be able to play due to suspension and neither will the young Ramón Terrats be in the midfield after confirming his positive in COVID-19. Cristoforo and Ibrahima Kebe compete for a position in the center of the field with Monchu and a Samu Saiz who would have freedom of movement to try to create imbalance and doubts in Espanyol.
Because surely the parakeets will remain to play more important matches in this second part of the season, in which the winter champion intends to be the champion of spring and all seasons to return to First. But, right now, Espanyol’s big game is this one in Girona.
The growing spice of this sort of upstart derby and the desire for revenge for the 1-2 two months ago in Cornellà, which did a lot of damage to Vicente Moreno’s men and the environment, is joined by the gray elimination of the cup last week against Osasuna. Only a triumph can return the smile to the blue and white people.
The team will naturally return the usual headlines to the line-up, from Diego López to De Tomás via Keidi Bare or Melamed, with the doubt of a Miguelón who returns after suffering some discomfort, the absence of Lluís López due to injury, that of Álex López after confirmed this Friday at the last minute his termination to sign for Mirandés and the more than probable presence in that defense of Cabrera, who would share a more than interesting Uruguayan clash with Stuani.
The other that a priori will mark the Girona forward will be – back to the axis of the rear after his eventful excursion to midfielder in the Cup – David Lopez, which will seek to end this time with the nose intact. Not in vain, Espanyol is not there to break anything, either a leadership that he aspires to preserve as he passes through Montilivi.
