In a thrilling encounter at Montilivi, Girona FC edged past RCD Mallorca with a narrow 1-0 victory, marking a crucial win in their fight against relegation in LaLiga EA Sports 2025. The match, held on May 5, 2025, saw Girona’s captain Cristhian Stuani score the decisive goal, helping his team breathe a little easier in the standings.
From the outset, both teams displayed a fierce determination to secure points, but it was Girona who struck first. In the 13th minute, a well-structured attack culminated in a goal for the home side. After a chaotic buildup, Iván Martín’s shot rebounded perfectly into the path of Stuani, who made no mistake from close range, firing the ball past Mallorca's goalkeeper Dominik Greif. This goal not only showcased Stuani's poaching instincts but also highlighted his importance to the team, as he notched his ninth goal of the season.
The first half was marked by a strong performance from Girona, who controlled possession and created several opportunities. Portu, in particular, was a constant thorn in the side of Mallorca's defense, using his pace and skill to create chances. However, despite Girona's pressure, they were unable to extend their lead before halftime, with Greif making several crucial saves to keep his team in the game.
On the other side, Mallorca struggled to find their rhythm. Their best chance of the half came from a long-range effort by Sergi Darder, which was brilliantly saved by Girona's goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga. The visitors had moments of promise but lacked the clinical edge needed to convert their possession into goals.
As the second half commenced, Girona continued to press, with Arthur Melo pulling the strings in midfield and showing great composure under pressure. The home side looked to double their advantage, but Greif was in fine form, denying attempts from both Tsygankov and Portu. The match remained tense as Mallorca began to push forward, desperately seeking an equalizer.
In a dramatic turn of events, Mallorca ramped up their attacking efforts, bringing on fresh legs in an attempt to exploit any defensive lapses from Girona. Manager Iagoba Arrasate’s changes included the introduction of Vedat Muriqi and Takuma Asano, who both added urgency to the attack. Mallorca's late pressure saw them come close to leveling the score, particularly when Raíllo’s header narrowly missed the target, sending a scare through the Girona faithful.
Despite their efforts, Mallorca could not find the back of the net. A controversial moment arose when they appealed for a penalty after a challenge involving Maffeo and Krejci, but referee Melero López waved away their protests, stating there was no foul. This decision added to the frustration of the visiting side as they pushed for a late equalizer.
In the dying minutes, Girona's defense held firm, with Gazzaniga making a couple of key saves to preserve the lead. The match concluded with a sense of relief and celebration for Girona, who secured a vital three points in their quest for survival.
After the match, Stuani expressed his joy at securing the win, stating, "We are euphoric because we needed this victory so much. It has cost us a lot, and we are fighting in a very delicate zone... The team has competed very well from start to finish, we knew how to suffer and generated enough chances to be just winners. We won in a good way."
Coach Míchel praised his players for their resilience, noting, "It has been a very hard three months. The team trained very well, and we have shown unity and a desire to win. We have taken an important step, but nothing is done yet. We need to reach 42 points to be safe. Each game is different, and we need to play with heart and soul."
Meanwhile, Arrasate reflected on his team's performance, saying, "We did not have our day, especially in the first half. Girona surpassed us. In attack, we struggled to generate chances. We improved in the second half with the changes, but overall it was not a good match for us."
Looking ahead, Girona will face Villarreal at home on May 10, while Mallorca will host Valladolid on the same day. With this victory, Girona moves closer to securing their place in LaLiga for another season, now six points clear of the relegation zone with only twelve points left to play for. The result was a significant boost for the team, who have faced a challenging season but are now showing signs of resilience as they push towards safety.
