Espanyol and Girona left mixed feelings in their second preseason games. Espanyol did not go beyond the draw, and was about to lose in one last action, against a solid Las Palmas, while Girona received four goals from a Benfica with more potential.
In their second pre-season game, after beating Montpellier (2-0), the Blue and Whites had a serious touchstone in Marbella against a Las Palmas de García Pimienta with good arguments.
Espanyol took the initiative, they were well settled, but they only had two good chances, from Melamed with a long shot (4m) and from Joselu in a header marking the times that went high (47m). The Canarian team, which grew after the break, enjoyed the most dangerous approach, a shot at the post by young Alberto Moleiro (59m).
The 18-year-old midfielder, wanted by Barça and Manchester City, was one of the attractions of the clash. His best action was an assist with a pass into the hole that Pejiño missed by sending it wide, touching the post, at the goalkeeper's exit, in the last action of the match (91m).
For Espanyol, the young central defender Simo shone, cheeky and with a good exit from the ball, as well as one of the signings, Vini Souza, in containment tasks as a physical and travel midfielder.
For its part, Girona, which has been promoted to the First Division, in its second pre-season friendly, played in Yverdon-les-Bains (Switzerland), fell to a more grounded Benfica with more potential 4-2 in a test of maximum demand.
Without having finalized any signing yet, Míchel Sánchez's men stood up to the Lisbon team, whom they came to dominate for five minutes, after enduring the entire first half (0-0) with good defensive solidity.
Stuani put Girona ahead (52m) by taking advantage of a defensive error in a lateral free kick; but Benfica came from behind with three goals in just 10 minutes, with goals from Vertongher from a volley (57m), from Bah (60m) and Yaremchuk (66m) from a penalty. Santi Bueno closed the gap in the 77th minute and Rodrigo Pinho sentenced with 4-2 in the 89th.
The defeat was part of Míchel's plans, especially since he entered the game with only 10 chips from the first team. The next preseason rival will be Andorra, recently promoted to Segunda, on Wednesday.
