Girona returned to winning ways with a resounding 3-0 victory over Real Valladolid at Estadi de Montilivi on Friday, bringing their six-game winless streak to an end as they aim for European qualification.
The hosts wasted no time seizing control of the match, demonstrating dominance from the start with impressive attacking play. Girona took the lead just after the half-hour mark when David López's fortuitously deflected free-kick from Miguel Gutierrez found its way to the top corner, sending the home crowd roaring with delight.
Eight minutes later, the advantage was doubled by Abel Ruiz, who expertly converted Gutierrez's well-placed cross with a close-range header, marking his third goal for the club.
Though Real Valladolid managed just one shot throughout the match, it was nothing short of troubling for their new manager Diego Cocca, as they found themselves overwhelmed by Girona's offensive display. The visitors failed to create significant threats and continued to languish at second from bottom on the league table.
The final nail in Valladolid's coffin came from substitute Arnaut Danjuma, who scored his first goal for the club with nine minutes left on the clock. His strike, also showcasing Girona's attacking prowess, was indicative of the shifting tides within the Spanish La Liga.
Post-match, López reflected on Girona's performance, saying, "We have played good games at home. Today we dominated the entire match. This gives us more peace of mind, and we’re satisfied." Meanwhile, Ruiz, encouraged by the result, expressed hope for continued improvement going forward.
Despite their struggles this season, Girona's convincing win offers glimmers of hope for the squad aiming for European football, and they moved up to eighth place with 25 points. For Valladolid, the sobering reality remains as they now sit four points adrift of safety with just 12 points.
Girona’s manager Míchel was emboldened by the win, which reflected their tactical superiority over Valladolid’s timid 5-4-1 setup. The hosts dominated possession, boasting nearly 90% within the opening stages, and only continued to build on their momentum as the match unfolded.
Valladolid’s players faced criticism for their lack of ambition, with right-back Lucas Rosa insisting, "We will believe until the end. Next year we have to be all together and have a lot of self-criticism." The looming question for Cocca and his team becomes how to shake off the shackles of poor form during their next fixtures.
This match marked the last of the year at Montilivi, with Girona signing off 2024 on a high note. The win not only closed out their disappointing streak but it also reignited the fans’ hopes for European competition next season. The victory signifies both resilience and ambition from Girona as they now aim to build on this foundation moving forward.
All eyes will be on their next challenge as they look to maintain their newfound momentum and continue their push upwards on the La Liga table.
