Girona FC
·10 September 2024
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Yahoo sportsGirona FC
·10 September 2024
The first victory of the season is here, and it's come in the form of a goal! Girona have returned to Montilivi to get their first three points of the season with a game where, apart from winning, they have also convinced. Míchel Sánchez's men showed a very recognisable identity, taking possession of the ball and living in the opposition's half against an outclassed opponent who were practically unable to make any demands on Paulo Gazzaniga.
The Andalusian winger opened the scoring midway through a first half that had a Girona colour. Tsygankov cut inside and curled the ball to the far post for Bryan Gil to stretch his leg and send it into the back of the net. Míchel Sánchez's men took possession of the ball from the start and subdued Osasuna with constant approaches to the box. Bryan Gil himself had already warned minutes before scoring with a powerful shot that Sergio Herrera deflected behind for a corner, and Abel Ruiz also came very close to a second in stoppage time with a header that went just wide of the post.
Right from the start of the second half, Tsygankov had already made a warning with a well placed shot from a good position. The Ukrainian winger appeared minutes later to control Bryan Gil's cross into the box and, changing roles from the first goal, beat the keeper with a low, cross-cum-shot. The start of the second half was frenetic, and Abel Ruiz produced a real goal with a shot from outside the area into the top corner to make the game almost decided. Stuani, of course, closed the scoring in stoppage time.
The union between team and fans worked perfectly last season, and this year Montilivi wants to be a fortress again. On an afternoon in which the Champions League opponents have also been announced and it has been confirmed that Liverpool, Arsenal, Feyenoord and Slovan Bratislava will be visiting the stadium, it couldn't be more important to have picked up the first win at home and with a great performance from the whole team.
The two signings already know what it's like to wear the red and white shirt. The 20-year-old Colombian striker, who arrived last week from Watford, has played his first game as a Girona player. With the ‘10’ on his back, Asprilla entered the pitch in the 74th minute and was able to experience first-hand the atmosphere at Montilivi, which gave him a standing ovation. Van De Beek came on in the 80th minute wearing the number ‘6’ and was also introduced to the fans.
‘It was a very serious game from the team, and with a big result. We deserved it because we created a lot of chances,’ explained Bryan Gil after the game. Today's top scorer also said on a more personal level that one of his main qualities is ‘giving everything’, and he can already see that ‘people like me, and I feel at home’.
Girona dominated the ball with 60% of possession. The overwhelming superiority over Osasuna is reflected above all in the fact that Míchel Sánchez's men had eight shots, five between the posts, while the Navarrese were only able to shoot once and Gazzaniga did not even have to intervene.