Girona, one step away from the Liga BBVA

Girona FC’s 0-1 victory over RCD Mallorca was a hard-fought yet emotional battle and now the Catalan side move closer to securing a spot in next season’s Liga BBVA with just one Liga Adelante matchday left to play.

Despite not having anything to play for, the home team were extremely lively in attack and made life uncomfortable for the visitors during the early stages of the game, reducing their chances on goal to free kicks. Midway through the first half, Mallorca carved out a goalscoring opportunity when a Pedro Bigas effort beat Isaac Becerra, however, the ball flew over the bar. Before the halftime break, an Alex Granell free kick for Girona grazed Rubén Miño’s crossbar.

Things followed a similar pattern after the restart with both teams struggling to find a way of breaking the deadlock. Girona defender David Juncà came close with a diagonal shot that whizzed past Miño’s left-hand post. There was an emotional moment in the 73' when 40-year-old Pep Lluís Martí was brought off in his last ever game for Mallorca, and shortly afterwards Girona’s Carles Mas was given his marching orders after picking up a second booking. Nonetheless, the Catalans went in front in the 77' through a close-range strike from their talisman, Fran Sandaza.

With the 0-1 lead the visitors shored things up at the back to seal a win that moves them ever closer to what would be an historic promotion to the Liga BBVA, a mission they will be looking to accomplish at home next Sunday against CD Lugo.