Not even Riquelme’s great skill could match Mallorca’s solidity. It was only possible to beat Rajkovic from the penalty spot. Girona drew this afternoon in Son Moix in an equal duel that should have been zero to zero and in the end it ended with goals from Raíllo and Samu Saiz from the penalty spot (1-1). It will not go down in history, even though it was the first time that the paths of both teams crossed in Primera. But he will be remembered by players like Romeu, Torni Villa and Manu Vallejo for his debut with the white-and-red shirt; or Arnau and Reinier, debuting as starters with the team. Míchel’s add a point, which is always welcome.
The coach of Vallecas has shaken up the eleven again, introducing up to four changes. Arnau has returned to the right lane and made his debut this season in the same way as Reinier. O Romeo, being an important piece in the medulla from the beginning. Riquelme has also been one of the new arrivals after recovering from his shoulder injury. While David López has been relocated to the center of defense and Taty Castellanos has been the sole reference following Stuani’s absence.
Girona pressed well up and with the feeling of controlling the game against a Mallorca desperate for not finding the rhythm but which was a tough bone to gnaw on. Riquelme’s rosca licked the post after the local defense’s rejection of Aleix’s cross from the corner. For their part, Aguirre gave the first warning with Muriqi’s header in front of the crossbar. Riquelme has replied. And Juan Carlos saved Girona by sending Jaume Costa’s ill-intentioned shot into the corner. The scare, and the disbelief, came when Díaz de Mera signaled a penalty against Juan Carlos with a yellow warning, but finally the referee rectified with the VAR warning because the goalkeeper had done his job well by refusing fist the ball into the small area to avoid danger.
All in all, Girona has deflated. Riquelme was able to open the can in the second half after centering a free kick in front. Rajkovic prevented it by taking it over the crossbar. The winger on loan from Atlético has once again had a clearer one when he won a dead ball in the area that went to the clouds. However, it was Mallorca who were holding on to Míchel’s team and putting obstacles in the way of the game. The manager didn’t like what he saw and sent Reinier off to make way for Toni Villa. In addition, he took advantage of the break to bring in Manu Vallejo and Samu Saiz in place of Taty Castellanos and Riquelme. Juan Carlos intervened to stop a Grenier shot in two halves. And Arnau almost decided after receiving a pass from Samu Saiz. Maresmenc’s shot, however, went wide. He has not forgiven Raíllo for opening the can when there were only a few minutes left for the game to end. Girona, however, still had something to say and Samu Saiz carried all the weight of the team to equalize with a penalty. Of course, suffering to see how Abdón, luckily, missed his header.
TECHNICAL SHEET
Mallorca: Rajkovic, Maffeo, Valjent, Raillo, Copete, Jaume Costa, Lee Kang In, Sanchez (Grenier, min. 60), Battaglia, Dani Rodriguez (Abdon, min. 73) i Muriqi.
Girona: Juan Carlos, Arnau, Santi Bueno, David López (Javi Hernández, min. 93), Juanpe, Miguel (Bernardo, min. 93), Romeu, Aleix Garcia, Reinier (Toni Villa, min. 65), Riquelme (Samu Saiz, min. 79) and Taty Castellanos (Manu Vallejo, min. 78).
goals: 1-0, min. 87: rail; 1-1 min. 91: Samu Saiz from penalty.
Referee: Diaz de Mera. He has admonished Battaglia, Muriqi, Sánchez, Copete (Mallorca); Taty Castellanos, Romeu (Girona).
Stadium: 13,390 spectators at Visit Mallorca.
