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Girona opens with a defeat at Mestalla (1-0)

Girona opened this evening in the First Division with a narrow defeat against Valencia (1-0). A penalty goal by Soler before the break condemned Míchel Sánchez’s team in the first match of the season, which went from more to less giving wings to Gennaro Gattuso’s. Cömert’s sending off at the start of the second half could have changed the scenario, but the Girona team failed to take advantage of the numerical advantage.

Míchel has opted for the usual system, the one that characterizes Girona so much, but with new faces. Juan Carlos stayed in goal, Couto and Valery were in the lanes; Santi Bueno, David López and Juanpe, at the core of the defense; Aleix Garcia and Terrats in midfield; and Samu Saiz and Riquelme behind Taty Castellanos. The absences of Stuani and Arnau, both on the bench, have been the most prominent.

The coach’s proposal has been brave from the start. Only starting David López enjoyed a golden opportunity, left with honey on his lips after failing to get a free kick from Aleix Garcia with intervention from Juanpe included to lower the ball with his head. It was minute 3. The Girona players were getting closer to Mamardashvili’s goal, although Valencia had possession and could create danger out of nowhere. Taty also had it, following a Couto cross in the area, but it didn’t come close – neither did Terrats. As half time approached, Girona took a step back, committing glaring mistakes and unnecessary turnovers. Consequently, the whole ché has been encouraged and made him suffer bravely. So much so that Soler put his team ahead thanks to a penalty from Valery in the 46th minute.

It would be time to look for a comeback at the restart. And take advantage of the advantage given by the expulsion of Cömert with a straight red for a hard tackle on Taty after the rapid intervention of the VAR to rectify the yellow that had been shown in the first instance by Figueroa Vázquez to the Swiss (min. 52). Stuani tried with a shot that went wide. Closer was Aleix Garcia, running into an immense Mamardashvili to divert his cocoa. Apart from a shot by Castillejo, Gattuso’s have not disturbed Juan Carlos. Girona, however, has not been able to find success in the final meters.

TECHNICAL SHEET

Valencia: Mamardashvili, Correia, Cömert, Diakhaby, Jesús Vázquez (Lato, min. 73), Soler (Foulquier, min. 63), Guillamón, Musah, Castillejo (Nico, min. 73), Lino (Maxi Gómez, min. 73) i Hugo Duro (Mosquera, min. 53).

Girona: Juan Carlos, Couto (Arnau, min. 82), Santi Bueno, David López (Stuani, min. 62), Juanpe, Valery (Miguel, min. 62), Aleix Garcia, Terrats (Yangel Herrera, min. 74), Samu Saiz (Ureña, min. 61), Riquelme and Taty Castellanos.

goals: 1-0, min. 46: Penalty Soler.

Referee: Figueroa Vázquez (Andalusian committee). He has warned Correia, Jesús Vázquez (Valencia); Couto, Samu Saiz, Valery (Girona). He sent off Cömert with a red card (Valencia).

Stadium: 39,359 spectators at Mestalla.

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