With neither side in good form, a full-throttle opening perhaps came as a surprise. The first major chance came through Girona striker Valentin Castellano, who moved away from his markers in the penalty area, but dragged his shot wide of the Valencia goal. Los Che hit back with an opportunity of their own, however, Samuel Lino also failed to force the Girona goalkeeper to make a save as he shot wide from distance. The end-to-end passage pattern of play continued apace, but it was the hosts proving more incisive as they created two clear cut chances. Aleix Garcia saw his shot saved by Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Marmadashvili, and the Georgian stopper was called into action seconds later, saving well from a Castellanos header.
Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga got his turn to influence the game as he blocked Yunus Musah’s shot when faced with a one-on-one situation. As the first half drew to a close, either side could have opened the scoring as the game flew from end-to-end, Marmadashvili was the goalkeeper called into action the most in the first-half as Girona sensed the opening goal.
Castellanos was a real threat throughout and the Argentine kept up his presence in the second period as he flicked wide from a cross. With both sides looking to ease their relegation fears, the intensity increased as the three points on offer became ever-more vital. Girona brought on loanee Rodrigo Riquelme in a bid to bolster their attacking options and it wasn’t long before the hosts took the lead, with that substitution proving pivotal. It was Riquelme’s cross that saw Borja García fire home from just outside the penalty area via the inside of the post.
The goal increased Valencia’s work rate, however it wasn’t enough to inspire a comeback as interim head coach Voro saw his side continue their poor away form in La Liga. Los Che are now without an away win in six matches, while they now sit just point above the drop zone.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Santiago Bueno (Girona)
