The Girona side achieved a resounding victory against Rayo Vallecano (3-0) after three games without picking up the three points. Míchel’s team overcame a sluggish first half and dominated the second with authority and effectiveness. The goals of Tsygankov and Savinho, who scored a double in stoppage time, allow them to increase their advantage over sixth-placed Athletic Club to ten points and remain in the Champions League aspirants.
A first time to forget
The match started with heavy rain that conditioned the game of both teams. Girona, who were looking to recover the good feelings after two defeats and a draw, had possession of the ball, but without depth or creativity. Rayo Vallecano, who were playing for permanence, came up with a very defensive scheme, with six men at the back, and gave up on the attack. The Girona side missed the quality of Blind, out through injury, to generate chances from midfield. Only Savinho, with an individual move, and Tsygankov, who switched sides with Porto, provided something of an imbalance. The locals only disturbed the goalkeeper Dimitrievski with two headers from Eric Garcia, one of them at the exit of a corner, and another from Yangel Herrera, which was rejected by Aridane on the goal line. Rayo, for its part, did not have a single shot on goal in the entire first half.
A second time to remember
At the restart, Girona came out with a different attitude and a different rhythm. Míchel’s team increased the pressure, speed and verticality, and besieged Rayo in their field. Yan Couto was more incisive on the right side, Miguel looked more for spaces and Tsygankov appeared more frequently in the danger zone. Dovbyk, who did not have his day in front of goal, worked for the team and opened holes in the opposing defense. The reward came in the 52nd minute, when David Lopez leaked a masterful pass for Miguel, who set up Tsygankov to beat Dimitrievski with a cross. It was 1-0 and Girona were ahead with the entire second half ahead.
The goal gave tranquility and confidence to Girona, who continued to control the game without suffering. Rayo tried to react with some changes, but could not find a way to hurt Girona. Only Álvaro García had a good chance, but Gazzaniga was alert to avoid a draw. Girona had several opportunities to decide the match, but Dovbyk, Stuani and Solís were erratic in front of the goalkeeper. It wasn’t until added time when Savinho put the icing on the cake with two beautifully crafted goals. The first, in the 91st minute, came after he took advantage of an assist from Pablo Torre, who recovered a ball lost by Lejeune, and scored at the near post. The second, in the 95th minute, was the result of a personal play, in which he left Espino behind with a bicycle and crossed the ball in front of Dimitrievski. It was 3-0 and the end of a match that had two very different sides.