Tottenham Hotspur loan watch: Mixed bag on the continent | OneFootball

Over in Spain, there was a final round of La Liga games before the winter break. Despite there being 38 games (Bundesliga has 34), the next round of fixtures will take place in mid-January.

With this final round of games, there were games for two Spurs loanees. On Saturday, Bryan Gil and his Girona side were in action at home to Real Valladolid. Meanwhile, on Sunday, Alejo Veliz and his RCD Espanyol side were in action away to Las Palmas.

Mixed weekend in Spain ahead of the annual winter break

We begin with Girona. For this game, manager Michel deployed Gil on the left in a 343 set up. Often, that would be as a number ten; but both the Tottenham loanee and his counterpart Yaser Asprilla were used very wide.

As for the collective, Gil’s side would get back to winning ways, as they dispatched their visitors with a 3-0 win. Former Spurs forward Arnaut Danjuma scored the third goal off the bench. Ex goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga started in goal, keeping a clean sheet.

Whilst he did not score or assist, it would still be a solid enough shift from Gil, who recorded; two shots, 65 touches, 33 accurate passes, 1/1 accurate long balls, 5/8 ground duels won, two fouls drawn, and two tackles. He was replaced after 83 minutes.

This win leaves Girona in 8th place heading into the winter break, with 25 points from their 18 games to date. Overall a pretty decent start to the season, considering all of the top players that they lost in the summer.

Meanwhile, Veliz was once again on the bench for Espanyol, as he continues to struggle for regular minutes of late. The striker did come off the bench, unlike in other recent games— but was unable to make an impact, and his side were condemned to a 1-0 defeat in the Canary Islands.

This defeat leaves Espanyol in 18th place in La Liga, with 15 points from their 18 games, as they continue to take up the final relegation spot. Real Valladolid are bottom of the league, with 12 points from 18 games — so Gil’s Girona side have done Espanyol a favour.

Next up after the break for Gil and Girona is an away game against Alaves, whilst Veliz and Espanyol are in action against Leganes. Both games are on the 11th of January, so there will be more of a preview closer to the time.