FanSided World Football
·15. Dezember 2024
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Yahoo sportsFanSided World Football
·15. Dezember 2024
On the continent, there was La Liga action for two Spurs loanees - with both Bryan Gil’s Girona side, and Alejo Veliz’ RCD Espanyol side in action on Saturday afternoon.
To begin, Espanyol hosted Osasuna. For this game, Veliz started on the bench. Even more unfortunately for the striker, that is also where he finished the game. This is the third time the Spurs loanee has been an unused sub this season, all of which have been in the last five La Liga outings.
In his absence, Espanyol drew the game 0-0, in an encounter where they only had nine shots throughout, totalling 0.32 expected goals. This draw leaves them in 18th place in La Liga, with 14 points from their 16 games so far.
As for Girona, they faced Mallorca on the road, as they looked to bounce back from their defeat to Liverpool in midweek, where they fought well and could have easily got something from the game. Once again, Gil was named in the starting XI, this time starting in an unfamiliar right wing back role, as manager Michel opted for a 352 line up for this game.
It would be the dream start for his side, taking the lead after seven minutes, however their hosts responded with an equaliser after 20 minutes. After 32 minutes, the home side went down to ten men, after a red card was given upon a VAR check.
However, Girona could not make the man advantage count. In fact, quite the opposite, as Mallorca took the lead early on in the second half. That goal would be enough to win the game, as they defeat Gil’s side 2-1, despite having a man fewer for around an hour of the tie.
Truth be told, it was a really poor performance from the visitors, who had all of the ball, but were continuously undone by counter attacks. As for Gil, he was replaced after 57 minutes.
This result leaves Girona in 9th place in La Liga, with 22 points from their 17 games, though there are teams still to play this game week.
Next up for Espanyol is a home game against Valencia in midweek, a game that was originally postponed due to the floods in the Valencia. This game is on Wednesday, and kicks off at 20:30 GMT.
As for Girona, whilst they do not have a midweek game, their next showdown is not long later, as they face Real Valladolid at home on Friday night, to kick off game week 18. Kick off there is 20:00 GMT.