Espanyol had entered into an optimistic dynamic at this start of 2023 after a first stretch of the season licking their wounds. But what seemed like a new beginning, exciting after the draw at the Camp Nou and the cup classification, was cut short with the visit of a Girona team that recovered the old ghosts of the blue and whites. The people from Girona, who had won on their three previous visits to the RCDE Stadium, snatched the second league victory at home from the parrots thanks to a goal from former Spanish player Yangel Herrera in the 85th minute. A point that does not serve the locals to get out of relegation and that, on the other hand, keeps Míchel's men in the quiet area of the table.
Unlike the quintessential Catalan derby, between Barça and Espanyol, the duel between Montilivi's men and the parrots has no historical quarrels, but that did not matter as most of the game was dotted with protests, especially among the locals. . The emotional note was the return of David López to his sports house, which he left a few months ago in tears and leaving the captain's armband at the box office.
The veteran Catalan defender, who had never faced his former team, started at the center of the back. For his part, Diego Martínez was conditioned by the effort of his pupils in the 120 minutes against Celta. The coach made seven changes to the eleven, including Joselu and Darder, doubtful until the last minute due to some discomfort.
The first bars were a duel between the advanced pressure of the parrots and the attempt to get the ball played from the visitors. The battle was won on several occasions by the people of Girona, who forced the parrots to retreat. One of Girona's incursions into the opposite territory was cut off with a free kick that became the first occasion in the 7th minute.
Aleix Garcia put it at the heart of the area and Taty Castellanos' point-blank header met the reflections of goalkeeper Álvaro Fernández. Montilivi's team continued to persist against an opponent who only found the way when Darder waved his wand. The first shot on goal for the locals came when the captain enabled Braithwaite in the area, who almost surprised Gazzaniga with a shot from the left.
But the Mallorcan's magic faded to give way to the flashes of Roro Riquelme. The 26th minute was played when the Spaniard sought space in front of the area and launched a kick that Álvaro Fernández deflected to the wood. The player on loan from Atlético did not find a finisher in another play where he once again made Óscar Gil dizzy. Perhaps affected by the tear that Riquelme was giving him, the Spanish winger gave away the ball that meant the first goal against. Aleix Garcia recovered the ball and after leaning on Taty he put it in the area to a Toni Villa who beat Álvaro Fernández in one-on-one.
The parakeet reaction came immediately with a header from Joselu that Gazzaniga cleared, but then Espanyol got lost in fruitless fights until the break. Girona's good work in the first half came to a halt after the restart due to its greatest weakness: its defensive gaps. He finished off a Braithwaite corner, it bounced off Taty Castellanos and the dead ball, without an owner in the area, was put into the net by Puado on the first ball he touched (it had entered through Edu Expósito).
Once again Diego Martínez's men found inspiration facing the goal in the second half, which is when they have scored most of their league goals. The inertia of the tie gave way to the best stretch of a blue and white team that finally dominated a Girona with a lot of personality despite being recently promoted. Calero finished off with a header and Gazzaniga miraculously deflected.
The reply in the other area came up against the third save of merit by Álvaro Fernández, who denied Riquelme the goal with a very clear header at the far post. Things were headbutting and Joselu did not decline the invitation. Espanyol's top scorer, now with nine goals in the league, collected a measured cross from Brian Oliván to advance with a perfect shot at Gazzaniga and put his team ahead. Euphoria broke out at the RCDE Stadium, another comeback could be smelled, but Yan Couto and Yangel Herrera avoided it. The Brazilian centered and the Venezuelan connected, once again, with an unstoppable header. He celebrated it with rage, even silencing a hobby that saw the party started at the Camp Nou cut short
Consult all the results of Espanyol in the Santander League.
Check all the results of Girona in the Santander League.
Spanish: Álvaro Fernández; Óscar Gil (César Montes, min.82), Sergi Gómez, Cabrera, Brian Oliván (Roger Martínez, min.82); Calero (Rubén Sánchez, min.82), Expósito (Puado, min.50), Darder, Melamed (Aleix Vidal, min.56), Braithwaite and Joselu.
Girona: Gazzaniga; Arnau, David López, Santi Bueno, Miguel Ortega; Terraces (Yangel Herrera, min.71); Toni Villa (Samu, min.63), Iván Martín (Yan Couto, min.81), Aleix García, Riquelme (Valery, min.81) and Castellanos (Stuani, min.72).
Goals: 1-0, min.32: Toni Villa; 1-1, min.51: Handful; 2-1, min.76: Joselu; 2-2, min.85: Yangel Herrera.
Referee: Del Cerro Grande (Madrid committee). He admonished Edu Expósito (min.4), Castellanos (min.8), Brian Oliván (min.21), Sergi Gómez (min.87), Yangel Herrera (min.88).
Incidents: match corresponding to the sixteenth day of LaLiga Santander played at the RCDE Stadium before 21,429 spectators.
