GIRONALucky for Viktor Tsygankov, because Girona’s visit to Vallecas did not look good. And luck with Rayo Vallecano’s boasting, who with a 2-1 scoreline decided they could afford to go all out highlights of the day emulating that penalty that Cruyff invented at the time and put Messi and Suárez on display. But neither Trejo is Messi nor Isi is Suárez. And neither of them is Cruyff by any means. Of course, they have achieved their goal, but not in the way they thought: the summaries will show that they have missed the penalty.
Míchel’s team saved a point that, for many moments, it did not deserve (2-2). But having Tsygankov is a luxury to which they are not very used to in Montilivi. He is a differential player, the Ukrainian. His double has caused the rebellion of a dressing room that breathes a little, because he could have left Madrid carrying a major storm on his back.
The ex-Dinamo of Kyiv has countered all the problems that Rayo has posed to a Girona that has also thrown stones at its own roof. Because the people of Girona do not learn from the mistakes made. The defensive tepidity and the lack of intensity to contain the local push have come to light again. It happened in Almeria, Cadiz and Getafe, in relevant matches. Three quarters of the same has happened in Vallecas.
The 2-1 with which Girona left at half-time, which could have been wider had it not been for Rayo’s attempt to score from the penalty spot, was unreal. It could have easily finished 3-0 (at least). In the second half, the white-and-reds did take a step forward; but during the first forty-five minutes there was only one team on the pitch. And this was Rayo, who hadn’t scored in more than three hundred minutes and accumulated five games without collecting the three points. Girona is also a specialist in resurrecting the dead.
Míchel spray in the dressing room
Without ideas and under a strict approach that has sought to overcome lines with long drives, only Tsygankov has brought light in the middle of the darkness. First, taking advantage of a rejection from Dimitrievski, he only had to push the ball. With the game mature, finishing violently and without thinking a cross from Javi Hernández, new at half-time after Míchel’s shower in the dressing room, where Miguel and Riquelme have changed, who have not appeared again.
Those from Iraola have shown the potential they have and have come out as any team should do in a game in the First Division: with energy. Before Isi’s goal, an extraordinary ball that he has made a thousand times, but that no one knows how to stop, he already had a stick from Lejeune and several chances, which between Gazzaniga and the lack of aim were avoided. Then, Trejo scored with a strong shot and saw how the white-and-red goalkeeper saved him a subsequent penalty, within a few minutes of poorly managed defense by Girona. But since Riquelme advanced into the area before the shot, the penalty had to be retaken. This is where Trejo and Isi put on a show and Girona avoided major problems.
And if Castellano had been finer in the chances he had or had whistled a few hands in the discount of a Rayo player in his area, it would not even have been strange for Girona to win. But you don’t need to ask that much either. In fact, it might be enough not to repeat the disappearances that this team often has. Because Tsygankov will not always appear, even if he is an extraordinary reinforcement.
- Rayo Vallecano: Dimitrievski, Mario (Mumin, 66′), Lejeune, Catena, Fran Garcia, Santi Comesaña (Salvi, 79′), Óscar Valentín, Isi (Pathé Ciss, 80′), Álvaro García, Trejo (RDT, 57′ ) and Camel (Unai López, 66′). Coach: Andoni Iraola.
- Girona: Gazzaniga, Arnau, Bueno, David López, Miguel Gutiérrez (Javi Hernández, 46′), Romeu, Iván Martín, Borja García (Reinier, 89′), Tsygankov, Riquelme (Toni Villa, 46′) and Castellanos (Stuani, 86′). Coach: Míchel Sánchez.
- Goals: 1-0 Isi (23′), 1-1 Tsygankov (29′), 2-1 Trejo (34′) and 2-2 Tsygankov (52′).
- Referee: González Fuertes (Asturian Committee).
- Yellow cards: Catena (7′), Mario (18′), Arnau (37′) and David López (71′).
- Red cards: None.
- Stadium: Vallecas, 12,263 spectators.