Victory continues to elude Girona

Girona went into their clash against D. Alavés under pressure from their recent run of results. One point from a possible nine in the last three matchdays had put Pablo Machín’s side in a mini results crisis, meaning they had to right the ship. Alberto López’s men, meanwhile, were aiming to settle into the middle of the table.

It was a tight match in the first half with few clear chances. In fact the first chances falling to each team found the net. Richy (27th minute), from a free kick, put Girona ahead, though their lead only lasted eleven minutes before Galán claimed the equaliser.

After the break both sides went out to pursue their objectives. Despotović could have made it 1-2 in the 48th minute, but his clear chance was thwarted by the home side’s defence. The move woke Girona up from their slumber and in eight minutes they had three chances (Sandaza, Lejeune and Mata) without finding the net. Alavés resisted the home side’s onslaught and neither team dominated the game.

When everything pointed towards a 1-1 final scoreline, the clash came alive: Sandaza made it 2-1 with his head (89th minute) after getting on the end of a free kick that Jandro had sent towards the post.

The home team appeared to have sealed the win, but a free kick from wide put them back against the ropes with Juli’s goal (91st minute). The score that made it 2-2 stunned the Montilivi Municipal Stadium, whose team have claimed just two points from a possible fifteen, while the side from Vitoria strengthen their position in the table.