The year of Girona could not end well. Broken into a thousand pieces last summer, he has survived until reality has told him enough. He had been excited to make a suitable template to go up to Primera. And not even having a beast like Stuani, unfairly expelled in what could have been his last match in Montilivi, was enough. Constant changes of coach and the feeling that the locker room has not found the right light until the final stretch have doomed a set that fell with honor. But he fell. And that’s what counts. Pere Milla, in the 96th minute, snatched a success that, looking in perspective, the team did not deserve, and Elche will play the elite (0-1).
And he didn’t deserve it because during the 42 days he has never been in places of direct ascent. Because his best classification, on day 41, was a fourth place. Because the signings didn’t work. Because sports management does not convey confidence. Because only Francisco, in ten games, has been able to put order within a project that now has a question mark. Which path should you take? How will the property react to the cuts that are expected to occur? It’s better not to think about it, but unfortunately dark times are coming.
It all started badly from the warm-up, in which Gumbau was injured, fell from eleven and started crying. A bad omen. Injuries never come at the right time, but for a Girona man like him to miss the day when everything is decided is synonymous with injury. The coach called Diamanka and the rest were the ones planned, with Maffeo, Mojica and Aday. Without Gumbau, Granell became more of a captain than ever. Girona’s pace was high and the ball flowed smoothly. Granell is not one of those who hide. The white-and-reds wanted to avoid scares. And they achieved this by taking the initiative. On impeccable turf, constantly looking for Borja and Samu in midfield, they lived most of the time near the opposing area.
They also checked the desperation of Jonathas, who, with a card for a strong entry in Mojica, gave a blow to Granell playing the second. The referee didn’t show it, but in the second half he didn’t hesitate with Stuani. The Uruguayan had the first great opportunity, with a very clear shot from the front and free to score, which went slightly wide. Girona were looking for the goal. Aday, immediately afterwards, tried it too. No one had any news of Riesgo, on the other side, and Girona insisted, trying to wear down the rival defense, which was completely closed. It is a very well worked team, Elche. Pacheta’s hand is noticeable. And we already know that the Catalans, throughout the year, have needed to generate a lot to score a goal. A final would not be the exception.
Damn added time
The people of Alicante were already doing well, to continue with this plan. Because if they saw the goal, they left Montilivi rubbing the heart attack. The joy of Elche did not come, first, seeing goal but with an expulsion. None of the defenders were clearly outwitted by Cristhian Stuani after 80 minutes. The disciplined free kick combination shifted the ball quickly to one side of the box, then back to the other. Complaining is useless, but it was a robbery.
The numerical superiority animated the set of Pacheta while Girona trembled, orphaned of its most differential star. If in the script of the most optimistic it was written that the Uruguayan would be the author of the promotion goal because he has been scoring goals from the school yard, the sheet that spoke of the option of a life without he was blank because simply no one wants her. Drawn the new scenario, and with the extension on the horizon, the meaning of the word suffer it acquired the maximum splendor. Pacheta shook the bench, Francisco did not. Who had to take refuge was the Catalan team, and the match was interrupted with continuous quarrels, the result of tension. The eight minutes of added time didn’t help at all to lower it. And with the goal of Pere Milla at the last moment it all ended. Girona will continue in Second.
.
