Girona FC ended its six-game winless streak with a commanding 3-0 victory against Real Valladolid at the Estadi Montilivi on December 20, 2024. The result not only boosted Girona’s position to eighth place with 25 points, but also plunged Valladolid closer to the relegation zone, as they remain stuck at 12 points, holding the second to last position on the La Liga table.
The match saw Girona asserting dominance right from the start. After several near misses, it was David López who opened the scoring for the home side at the 30-minute mark. López's free kick, initially aimed at the goal, took a deflection off teammate Sergio López, sending the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Karl Hein and settling neatly inside the right corner of the net.
Just eight minutes later, Girona’s pressure paid off again. A well-placed cross from Miguel Gutiérrez found Abel Ruiz at the far post. Ruiz's header, though not particularly powerful, managed to evade Hein's grasp, doubling Girona’s lead.
With the game firmly under Girona's control, the third goal came through Danjuma, who capped off the evening’s scoring with his shot from close range after receiving the ball from Martinez, who had strived to keep the play alive during the second half.
The victory marked Girona’s first win after three consecutive matches without one—a streak which included two losses and the elimination from the Copa del Rey. Míchel’s men showcased their best form, controlling the match with confidence and keeping Valladolid’s efforts at bay.
On the contrary, Valladolid's woes continued, exacerbated by the pressure of being at the bottom of the table. The club has now suffered from poor performances all season, managing only three wins from 18 matches, and has the worst defensive record, conceding the most goals across the league.
This match was particularly notable as it highlighted the ramifications of management changes at Valladolid, with the Brazilian owner Ronaldo Nazário hinting at plans to sell the club and also considering running for the presidency of the Brazilian Football Confederation. This week had seen fan protests against the ownership as frustrations with the management grew.
Supporters of Girona celebrated the return to winning ways, one fan stating, “This victory is the perfect Christmas gift for us!” The club’s rich history against Valladolid—having previously secured seven wins out of nine meetings at home—added to the already high expectations for this match.
With both teams set to take another break before returning to action on January 11, 2025, Girona will aim to maintain momentum as they visit Alavés. Valladolid, meanwhile, will hope for redemption against Real Betis as they fight to pull themselves out from the relegation zone.
This affair not only highlighted individual brilliance on the pitch but also emphasized the broader narrative involving struggles, aspirations, and the emotional stakes inherent in La Liga. For Girona, it was about reclaiming their place among the league's competitive teams; for Valladolid, every match increasingly felt like a race against time to avoid relegation.
