Who has not seen Cristhian Stuani’s goal, let him look for it. It’s a marvel. And not for the infallible shot of the Uruguayan, a life insurance, but for the combination of tiralínies made between Borja García and Samu Saiz. At the first touch, without raising his head, practically from memory, as if carried together from fry, the two midfielders have invented a work of art with added Vaseline that allows Girona to take a slight advantage against Almeria ( 1-0) in the semifinals of the play-off in the First Division.
It is very strange to play a promotion in mid-August. But it is even more so to do so in these conditions. Because seeing Montilivi empty, knowing the response that the fans have had in the important days of recent years, broke my heart. I would have enjoyed it, with the goal. No crowd reception, no heat during the ninety minutes, beyond the Jovent Gironí, who always finds a hole to raise his voice. The lucky few, wearing masks and keeping a safe distance. On the pitch, however, there was no sign of external tranquility. There is a prize too valuable not to leave the soul.
Francisco, true to his word, managed to get Girona out with the revolutions at the limit. The initiative, the ball and the faith were his, in front of an Almeria full of changes, with the loss of Juan Muñoz and accumulating men behind, lest he take it badly. The only white-and-red novelty was the presence of Ramalho on the right side. It was a party to show off gallons, and the responsibility was taken by Samu Saiz, brilliant in spontaneity.
Despite having clear ideas, the people of Girona hit the visiting wall for many minutes, determined not to make any concessions. Neither in strategy. In fact, the contradiction was to see how Darwin Núñez had the clearest chance from the start. Fortunately, he didn’t get to finish. Yes Stuani did the opposite, but his half lap ended up in the corner. Aday had one too but made the wrong decision, and Saiz kicked out. Girona dominated, but needed to take advantage of the superiority. He tried it by stretching the bands and bombarding centers that never found a clear striker.
The saying that the one who forgives ends up paying it was about to become evident in the second minute of the restart, when De la Hoz rubbed the goal in a shot well caught by Riesgo. If the locals needed a warning to go further in search of victory – or not to be fooled, which is the same – here they were. It didn’t take long for Borja, who struggled to wake up but was unstoppable when he did, and Saiz to produce the magic play that, including Cristhian Stuani’s 30th goal, would change everything, a detail to celebrate his fiftieth birthday. Montilivi and reinforce the good attitude of a Girona deserving of victory. The playoffs, however, are far from over. Sunday, in Almeria, last step to reach an exciting final.
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