The magic of Sávio makes it possible to overcome the first round of the Cup
Valery advanced Girona who beat San Roque de Lepe 1 to 2
Hard-fought victory for Girona in their Copa del Rey debut. Míchel Sánchez's men visited the ground of a modest team who competed and made it as difficult as possible, but talent prevailed and Savio settled the tie with a great goal in stoppage time. The red and whites were resolute in overcoming a demanding first match in a competition that always evens the playing field, and will be in the draw for the second qualifying round to be held between 5 and 7 December.
Girona could have taken an early lead with two strikes from Portu and Tsygankov. The Murcia-born Portu hit Arnau Martinez's cross and the ball went just wide of the post, while the Ukrainian failed to connect with a good run into the box. The team lacked their usual fluency in a difficult context despite the difference in category, and San Roque made themselves tough by being solid in defence but daring in the opposition half. Míchel's side were unable to find the goal that would open the game up and pave the way, and with the scores level, the home side stretched before the break and had their moment. The interventions of Fuidias in his debut this season as a starter were key to prevent the goal.
Míchel's men came out hungry after the break, and in one of the first actions Valery managed to open the scoring. The player from L'Escala took advantage of another good cross from Arnau to finish unchallenged at the far post and extend his good relationship with the Copa del Rey. The joy of the goal was short-lived, however, and San Roque de Lepe found the equaliser in a similar action that Mizzian, their top scorer, pushed into the back of the net.
Girona continued to insist and Stuani, with a shot against the post, had the clearest chance. Portu also came close to scoring in an action that was deflected for a corner by a defender, but as the minutes went by and the deadlock was not broken, the game became increasingly dangerous. In fact, the home side had their chance in the final stretch, but Fuidias was once again providential in saving the second. The tie was broken by a brilliant piece of skill from Savinho, who drove from the middle of the pitch and beat his opponents until he found himself inside the area to beat the keeper with a cross-shot.
A goal in stoppage time that allows Girona to settle the first Copa del Rey tie and focus on this Saturday's match at Osasuna to continue dreaming also in the league.
