Girona is now the leader alone after overcoming a Villarreal team at the La Cerámica Stadium that has not yet reacted after the arrival of Pacheta. His presence at the top of LaLiga is not the result of chance.. It is a brave and unapologetic proposal from Míchel's team, which seems in a position to take a step forward this season after dreaming of playing in Europe last year.. Players have been added to the base they already had, among whom Savio shines with his own light, one of those players capable of making things happen practically every time the ball reaches them.
Of course, in front of him this time he had a tough nut to crack like Juan Foyth, a full-back capable of unhinging Vinicius and who managed to more or less keep the Brazilian from Girona at bay, whom they were constantly looking for to launch his runs down the left wing to reach the with danger.
Girona was not cowed even by the scare of Morales, who finished high a pass from Baena into the area when the minute of play had not yet passed.. The Catalans were discussing control of the game against a Villarreal team that was warming up little by little.
Pacheta put aside the rotations that he did make in Europe and came out with the closest thing to an ideal eleven that he has at the moment. He made up for the absence of the injured Gerard by placing Álex Baena behind Sorloth, leaving Morales and Yeremy at the extremes.. The Canarian footballer was the most incisive of a Villarreal team whose best options came on the counterattack, taking advantage of the high pressure and advanced defense of Girona and the speed of its three playmakers, without forgetting that of Pedraza back in the team after his suspension.. An attack by the winger ended with the ball hitting the post after deflecting a defender.
Villarreal finished the first half well, with a double chance from Yeremy. The first was saved by Gazzaniga after a deep ball from Mandi for the Canarian and the second, a header from Baena's center that went wide.. The second started even better, with a penalty converted by Parejo after Iván Martín blocked Capoue on the side of the area.
Girona's reaction was immediate, on the field and on the bench. The Catalan team responded with two good chances from Dovbyk, a header deflected by Jorgensen and a volley that missed him by centimeters.. The Ukrainian striker did not miss the third time, as he got around Mandi to finish off a measured cross from Savio at the far post.
Courage and reaction
Girona, who already showed against Mallorca that they do not shrink from being behind on the scoreboard, only needed five minutes to turn the score around against a Villarreal that, incomprehensibly, disappeared when the wind was in their favor. The yellow defense fell asleep on a short corner kick and Aleix had plenty of time to reach the area, where Eric headed in completely alone.. Girona repeated the play in the next corner and this time Aleix's ball ended up hitting the crossbar.
There were hardly any signs of reaction from a lost and nervous Villarreal that could have suffered a heavier defeat. Jorgensen still cannot clear up the doubts generated by his new age and lost a ball outside the area that Stuani was about to score into an empty goal. The Uruguayan also sent a shot to the post in the midst of an offensive by a Girona team that does not conjugate the verb mirror and is already the leader with all merit.