Vice-leader of the Spanish Championship, the Girona entered the field apathetic and lost 1-0 away from home to Mallorca, this Sunday, at the Iberostar Stadium, wasting the chance to touch the leader Real Madrid. The team remains at 59 points and now has seven disadvantage for coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team.
With two Brazilians – Yan Couto e Savinho – called up for friendlies against England e Spain in March, Girona started the game centered on Mallorca’s midfield, as both teams played with low lines, forcing many direct throws.
Mallorca won one of their six first-half corners in the 5th minute. In the rebound, the ball fell to Uruguayan Giovanni González, who shot wide.
Girona did not try to exploit the gaps in Mallorca’s defense and continued to play defensively. Until the 8th minute, Ivan Martin received a cross and headed safely into the hands of goalkeeper Rajkovic.
As the first half passed, the teams loosened up and the game became more open, but with Mallorca better positioned in midfield compared to Girona. In the 32nd minute, in a fight, Mallorca finally opened the score with a shot from Pompadour: 1 a 0.
The second half started with Girona trying to put pressure on Mallorca at home, but without results. Soon the home team imposed itself with a high marking line. As the second half progressed, Mallorca gave the ball to Girona and chose to defend. The strategy worked and Girona had to suffer another defeat in the competition.
Two more games were also played this Sunday. Villarreal massacred Granada 5-1 and now has 32 points. Atlético de Madrid had no difficulty beating Betis 2-1 and has 55 points in the competition.
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