Real Valladolid Earns a Hard‑Fought Victory Over Girona
Real Valladolid secured three crucial points with a disciplined defense and timely finishes, while Masip delivered decisive actions in goal and Hongla stood firm at the back. The clash against Girona kept the home crowd on edge as the team from José Zorrilla pressed for continuity and claimed the advantage late in the game.
Girona head coach Míchel Sánchez faced a disrupted start, making four changes after an early injury to Blanquivioleta favorite Toni Villa. The former Valladolid player exited in tears but received a standing ovation from the home supporters. Valery stepped in to replace him, while Aleix García also left early due to injury in the 10th minute, with Reinier entering the fray. Valladolid had already shown intent with two dangerous forays toward Girona’s goal, guided by Fresneda and Larin.
Blanquivioleta showed immediate energy at right back, though his first forays failed to convert into chances. Larin managed to control several balls, but the chances did not materialize for the home side until later when Gazzaniga had to intervene to keep the ball from finding the back of the net.
Valladolid dominated possession and sought to exploit quick counters. A shot from Reinier took a deflection off El Yamiq before Plata sent a dangerous delivery into the box where Monchu awaited a finish, triggering celebrations from the home crowd. A goal would crown a strong start for Pucela and punctuate a wave of pressure after the break.
The Catalan goalkeeper produced a sharp stop to deny the hosts on the board, leaving the crowd roaring as the home side extended their lead in the standings. Girona responded with a swift move of their own, and Javi Hernández forced Masip into a save as the visitors sought to level the score early in the match. The visitors pressed high and looked for quick transitions to unlock Valladolid’s defense, but Masip remained vigilant, denying their attempts to pull level.
Paulo Pezzolano, unable to coach from the dugout due to suspension, watched from the stands yet kept his team focused. Álvaro Rubio pressed forward, and Escudero moved with pace, but a well-timed block by a cautious Gazzaniga thwarted any breakthrough near the Girona goal. The first half ended with Valladolid clinging to a one goal advantage fueled by Monchu and a five-man defensive line that kept Girona at bay.
On the restart, Girona emerged with greater intensity and began to control more of the ball. Iván Martín found space in the final third and produced a sharp strike that Masip deflected aside for a corner, with El Yamiq following up to prevent a second chance on the rebound. Valladolid looked to extend their lead and asked more questions of the Girona defense, while the visitors sought a quick equalizer to stay in the fight.
A breakthrough came as a Jose Larin header near the far post extended Valladolid’s lead, driven by a subtle layoff from a cross that found the striker in space. The finish beat Gazzaniga and sent the crowd into a wilder celebration, as Valladolid’s defense maintained its shape to frustrate any Girona comeback.
Valery again supported the attack, delivering dangerous crosses from the right flank. A late opportunity for Girona was narrowly missed when a shot went wide, leaving Masip exposed but not beaten. The ball ricocheted off a Valladolid defender and out for a corner as the visitors pressed for life late in the game. The composed display from Valladolid ensured they held on to their advantage into the final minutes, despite Girona’s late flurries.
The home side continued to weather the late pressure and maintained a resilient defensive posture. After a tense spell, Valladolid’s defense shut down the visitors’ attempts to find an equalizer, and the final whistle confirmed a valuable victory for the home team. The result reflected a match where a solid game plan, sharp counterattacks, and a reliable performance from the defense and Masip delivered the difference on the day. Observers highlightedMonchu’s early strike as the defining moment that set the tone for a disciplined, hard‑fought win by Real Valladolid, who now look to sustain this momentum in the next fixtures. The Girona side, meanwhile, left with a sense of what could have been after a spirited effort but unable to convert pressure into goals. Commentary from Movistar Plus+ captured the momentum shifts and the crowd’s reaction as Valladolid secured three points in a tightly contested encounter, with the atmosphere at Jose Zorrilla reflecting the significance of the result for the home team.