Struggling Girona grit out Espanyol derby draw | OneFootball

Girona remain without a La Liga win so far this season as they scrapped out a 0-0 Catalan derby draw with Espanyol.

Michel Sanchez’s side hauled themselves off the foot of the table with a battling point at the Estadi Montilivi as Espanyol were unable to break them down late on.

Three draws in their last four games shows how Girona are starting to show real fight with in form Espanyol remaining in fourth spot despite no win their last three league outings.

Their sole loss came against Real Madrid earlier this month, but on the whole, the first few weeks of 2025/26 have been positive with wins over Atletico Madrid, Osasuna and Mallorca.

With the pressure ramped up on Girona, the hosts started brightly, with Ivan Martin’s long range drive kept out by Marko Dmitrovic in the Espanyol goal.

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Roberto Fernandez and Tyrhys Dolan were then swiftly denied at the other end by Paulo Gazzaniga, as the tie began to open up, and both sides headed in at the break with plenty to play for in the second half.

However, it was the home side who missed the best opening right after the restart, as Portu led a one-man counterattack, but his bundled pass was wasted by Vladyslav Vanat.

On the balance of chances, Girona may feel aggrieved they could not squeeze out that elusive win, but a point is a positive move in the right direction following such a bad start.

With neither side in European action this season, the full focus is on La Liga, until the Copa del Rey kicks into gear next month.

Up next for Michel and Girona is a home clash with Valencia on October 4, ahead of the next FIFA international window, with Espanyol hosting Real Betis in their next league game.

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