In a rivalry steeped in local pride, the Girona derby met its expectations. The Montilivi clash brought drama and urgency from two sides chasing crucial points, with the urgency amplified by their current spot in the table. The rojiblancos came out more assertive, landing a heavy blow to Espanyol, who found themselves teetering near the relegation zone. Arnau Martínez delivered a defining moment with a legendary strike, while Stuani converted a late penalty to seal a turning point for Girona as the league season progressed. The Dane’s presence was felt, with Braithwaite continuing to contribute in front of goal as the campaign moved forward.
Diego Martínez adjusted the setup, choosing to reinforce the middle with a triple shield to contest the visitors’ advances. Girona dominated possession early on, spreading play and finding space on the right flank where Tsygankov probed for opportunities, drawing out Óscar Gil as an unexpected outlet at left-back.
The match pitted two distinct approaches against each other. Espanyol favored quick, direct actions aimed at destabilizing the Girona defense and pinning the hosts back. Girona, meanwhile, kept the ball flowing, pressing high and looking to exploit gaps as they maneuvered through the midfield. Sergi Gómez helped Oriol Romeu open the scoring with a precise strike from a rebound sequence following a set piece. Míchel’s side cranked up the tempo, and at the 33rd minute, Taty Castellanos blended into the play, creating danger with intelligent movement. A sharp moment for Girona arrived when Tsygankov struck the woodwork from distance, signaling intent. Espanyol did land an isolated effort through Rubén Sánchez, but it lacked the necessary pace to threaten Gazzaniga’s goal.
The second half opened with a renewed push from Girona, and a noticeable surge from the hosts paid off. Arnau Martínez calmly controlled the ball after a clearance, shifting it to his stronger foot before delivering a precise finish that extended Girona’s lead. The reaction from Espanyol followed but did not derail the tide. Diego Martínez responded with changes, bringing on Denis Suárez to inject energy and balance in the midfield while Galician influence intensified in defense. Espanyol pressed higher up the pitch, and Rubén Sánchez sent a long ball to the far post while Puado aimed for the near area; Braithwaite appeared to convert the chance, turning the moment into a palpable threat for Girona’s back line.
The clash intensified as the match wore on. Sergi Gómez found himself at the center of attention, resulting in a decision that was reviewed by VAR and ultimately led to a red card, further heating the Catalan derby. The shift in the game tested both teams’ resilience: Girona adopted a cautious stance at times, while Espanyol pushed forward with urgency in search of a lifeline. The hosts leaned on set plays and quick transitions to maintain control, while the visitors displayed flashes of quality that kept the scoreline in contention.
With the clock ticking, Girona faced a late scare as Espanyol sought to claw back the deficit. Santi Bueno found himself in a dangerous position, and the penalty awarded to Girona after a contentious decision added another layer of drama. Stuani calmly converted from the spot, delivering a psychological blow to Espanyol and cementing the home side’s advantage. The final minutes bore witness to a tense finish, as Girona maintained composure and navigated a difficult period without surrendering their lead. The encounter underscored the derby’s intensity and the importance of every moment as both teams jostled for position in the league standings, leaving spectators with a sense of satisfaction at the payoff of competitive football in a storied local fixture.