Direct Chronicle
Sevilla of José Luis Mendilibar, who had scored 13 of the last 15 points in a great month of April, saw his good run in the hands of a wonderful Girona, who pretty much surpassed him thanks to a game in which almost everything came out perfect both in attack and also in defense. In this way, with players like Riquelme, Andrés Martín, Tsygankov or a giant Oriol Romeu, the Girona reaches 44 points and takes third place in seventh, which can be European, and five in sixth, now owned by Betis. Sevilla had a lot of confidence and never gave up. The first defeat of the Mendilibar era came simply because Girona were better. Special mention goes to striker Taty Castellanos, who scored four goals against Madrid and another against Sevilla. There are already 12 that the Argentine has in City’s possession.
0
Dmitrovic, Gudelj, Loic Bade, Marcos Acuña, Montiel, Lucas Ocampos, Fernando (Suso, min. 60), Pape Alassane Gueye (Rafa Mir, min. 75), Papu Gómez (Rakitic, min. 60), Bryan Gil Salvatierra ( Lamela, min 81) and En-Nesyri
2
Gazzaniga, Miguel Gutierrez (Valery Fernández, min. 73), Javi Hernández (Callens, min. 63), Santi Bueno, Juanpe, Yan Couto, Rodrigo Riquelme (Ricard Artero, min. 89), Tsygankov (Bernardo, min. 89) , Oriol Romeu, Iván Martín and Valentín Castellanos (Reinier Carvalho, min. 72)
Goals 0-1 min 22: Juanpe. 0-2 mins. 55: Valentin Castellanos.
referee Alejandro Muniz Ruiz
Yellow cards Gudelj (min. 3), Callens (min. 84) and Marcos Acuña (min. 95)
LaLiga offers teams of authors, with a lot of personality and very well done. A group like Girona, who performed with enormous courage at a festive Sánchez Pizjuán. Míchel has built a good team that, after scoring four goals against Madrid, had no complexes against this Sevilla de Mendilibar, on the rise. The Girona coach’s study of the game was methodical. The Catalan team, aware of the high pressure from Sevilla and well equipped with a set of three central defenders, did not hesitate to come up with excellent combinations from behind. The ball moved precisely from behind and then, once the local pressure zone was overcome, players like Riquelme were responsible for changing the tempo and reaching the Andalusian area.
Seville lacked football. The one that players like Rakitic or Suso give him. Even lick. Mendilibar chose Papu as the starter. The Argentine had not started the Heliópolis derby against Betis since November 6. Logically, he noticed so much inactivity.
Despite Girona’s good play, the goal came from a set piece. A venomous corner kick from Riquelme was perfectly sealed by centre-back Juanpe, who surprised Dmitrovic with a superb shortening in his half. Sevilla had to fight hard against opponents falling deep behind. The great protagonist of the Andalusian team’s attacking games was Bryan Gil.
An exuberant footballer, without a doubt, but with little torn nose. That’s why his shot from the penalty area came out too focused on a pass from Montiel. Gazzaniga laid down a good hand. Next, the winger, trusted by Mendilibar, received a good pass from Fernando. His shot from the penalty area went into the side netting. After En-Nesyri was stopped very well by Girona centre-backs, Sevilla were missing a goal and some football from behind to create chances.
Football that comes out of the pores of a footballer like Riquelme, for example. On the edge of the break, the winger got into the penalty area and shot with enormous danger. The ball came out and grazed Dmitrovic’s team.
Girona have struck again at a crucial moment. This time, Riquelme’s shot hit the bar after an electric counterattack. Tsygankov, another good footballer, left them behind to allow Taty Castellanos to maintain their great streak. With the score at 0-2, the Andalusians were not lacking in attitude and perseverance in their search for the goal. Suso and Rakitic gave the game a different twist and there were a few opportunities that could put Girona at risk, such as a shot from Romeu’s own goal that Gazzaniga saved or Suso’s shot off the crossbar. There was no way. That’s how Girona’s first win was captured in Nervión. And well deserved.
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