Stranded in Mallorca
Girona went from strength to strength in an evenly matched game, but were penalised by their lack of effectiveness and set-pieces
Girona ran aground again at Son Moix and came away empty-handed, despite making merits in the final stretch to tie the game. Míchel Sánchez's men were not comfortable during the first half against a vertical and very threatening Mallorca, and ended up being penalised by the effectiveness of the home side and their lack of effectiveness in the opposing area. Copete took advantage of a second corner to give his team the lead before the break, and the Balearics defended the result with all their might in a favourable match context.
During the first forty-five minutes, the visitors struggled to find their usual fluency in their play and found it difficult to get forward against a very intense and aggressive pressing side. The threat in Gazzaniga's area resulted in many corners, which eventually led to the goal, and the Argentinian goalkeeper also saved a very clear shot with the help of the crossbar. Míchel's men still had two good chances, first with a header from Iván Martín's header from Miguel's cross, and then towards the end with a ball into the area from Tsygankov that Solís was unable to finish powerfully at the far post.
After the break, Girona improved and found a way to take more control and look forward. Aleix opened the second half with a cross that Solís narrowly missed, and then Portu and Couto failed to get on the end of a good situation in the box. The player from Murcia, who stretched the team with his introduction to the pitch, also shot too high from inside the area, and created the clearest chance of the game. Dovbyk held his back, found him in space, and set up Sávio, who almost inside the six-yard box shot and ran into the body of an opposing defender.
The visitors never stopped trying against a rocky Mallorca side who are comfortable in a game where they have to defend favourable results close to their own goal. The Catalans generated a sense of danger during the last few minutes, and Couto forced Rajkovic to intervene with a lot of success. In stoppage time, the Brazilian cut inside and, from the edge of the area, unleashed a high, fierce shot that the keeper kept out with a great hand.
Míchel Sánchez's men will be looking to get back to winning ways and continue to make Montilivi a fortress when Osasuna visit next Saturday at 9pm.
