The last time Girona visited Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium was two seasons ago in the Second Division. In that year of both in the silver category, the team from Girona emerged victorious in both duels, but the promotion prize went to the Blue and Whites, cruelly defeated by the Montilivi team in the playoff final by Rayo.
The rojiblancos were promoted the following year led by Cristhian Stuani (36 years old), without a doubt the livelihood of the Catalans on goal since his arrival in 2017. Fulfilled his promise to return the team to the elite, established as the top scorer in the club history (111), the Uruguayan has elegantly accepted his role as substitute this year in the Santander League to make way for 'Taty' Castellanos (24 years old). Stuani scored 5 goals in nine games for what was his team for three seasons and the new forward of reference for Girona wants to follow in his footsteps today in the Catalan derby.
The Argentine, who stands out for being a good finisher in the box like Stuani, has a coincidence of fate with the Uruguayan: his career took off when he stood out with Montevideo City Torque from Uruguay, a team belonging to the City Football Group that catapulted him to the MLS . Top scorer in the American competition and on loan this year from New York City, he is a fixture in Míchel's lineups, although his goal average is still far from his Uruguayan predecessor.
However, the one from Mendoza, whose nickname Taty is due to the noise of the horn that his cart made when he was a baby, has sharpened his aim in recent commitments. Three of the five goals he has scored this season have been in the last four games.
One of his recent goals was the victory at home against Elche (1-2) in the last league game before the break and his success from eleven meters added to scratch a draw against Rayo last day (2-2 ). Perhaps his good scoring dynamics are related to Palo Santo, a wood from a South American tree that he uses as a ritual before games to attract good luck.
"I took a pesito off myself that I had with myself," he said after the goal against the Elche 'Taty' Castellanos, who will be one of the players to follow on the sporting front against Espanyol (21 hours), although on an emotional level the protagonist will be David Lopez. The veteran Catalan defender will face the team of his life for the first time in his career, where he was the captain until the end of last season. He will return to the grass that he left in tears just a few months ago and will have to put emotions aside for Girona to maintain the good run at the RCDE Stadium, a ground where he has won the three games he has played.
Check all the results of Girona in the Santander League.
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