Girona draw in a demanding, evenly-matched match marked by details

Girona were held to a draw at Montilivi by a demanding Real Sociedad side. Míchel Sánchez's men took the initiative and dominated many phases of the game, especially in the first half, but they struggled to threaten against an organised, intense and effective pressing team. The details were decisive in a match in which both teams had good chances, and in which the Red and Whites had their only goal disallowed for a controversial offside action. Even so, we continue to add another game against a difficult team, and that's 56 points.

The team was the protagonist in the first half and monopolised control of the ball. Tsygankov gave an early warning with a direct free kick that was deflected by Remiro, and Aleix again had to challenge the keeper from a short corner that left him with a free ball to shoot inside the area. On the half hour mark, Yangel Herrera scored the only goal of the game, but it didn't make it onto the scoreboard. The Venezuelan headed a cross into the box at the far post, but the referee disallowed it for a previous offside by Sávio at the start of a very long move. The team were having a lot of the ball in the opposition half and the best chances, but on a counter-attack before half-time Blind had to be on hand to prevent a two-on-one.

At the restart, Real Sociedad stepped up a gear. The Basques generated danger by being more vertical and finding space at the back. Gazzaniga intervened providentially in the clearest of the clearings, saving a handball, and the Girona side looked to Montilivi to push forward in the final minutes. Yangel Herrara, with a cross shot inside the area that Remiro saved, and Valery after a good play by Couto, had clear chances, but the goal did not come and the tie was maintained.

Girona will visit the Santiago Bernabéu next week and San Mamés the week after in two very demanding consecutive outings. Two great venues to try to continue making history in a unique season.