There was probably only room in Girona’s mind for Sunday’s game in Montjuïc against Barcelona. It is without a doubt a candy, a way to test yourself. And a long-awaited and special visit, especially now that Míchel’s team is four points ahead of Xavi’s. However, first they had to cover the file in the Copa del Rey against the modest Orihuela of Second RFEF. A priori it seemed like a duel with few incentives and little difficulty. Míchel rested regular players such as Gazzaniga, Blind, David López, Eric Garcia, Aleix Garcia, Iván Martín and Dovbyk, who were spared the trip to Alicante. But the reality is that Míchel’s team had to come back against an Orihuela team that played with the enthusiasm that the Cup always provides. Until their batteries ran out.
But, despite the few incentives, there is always someone willing to make the most of everything. Let them tell Pablo Torre, who, in his first tenure with Míchel’s team, left him, remembered that not long ago he was passing through a similar field and opened fire at the Municipal Los Arcos. The Barça footballer, on loan to Girona and with the fear clause included, will not be able to play on Sunday, unless the club wants to pay a price, something practically impossible. However, he took advantage of his showcase. In the early stages of the game he raised his head and received a pass from the right wing from the reserve team player Iker Almena, another of those asking for more. Well positioned at the front of the area, Pablo Torre first adjusted an unappealable shot, to the base of the first post, to put the first on the scoreboard.
Beyond Pablo Torre there were also other contrasting footballers, such as Stuani, Portu or Valery, who worked hard to achieve a victory that at times was resisted by two set-piece errors. At half-time, Girona was losing 2-1 on the scoreboard. It was Mendi who decisively headed the first lateral free kick to score Orihuela’s first. And things got complicated. Toni Fuidias, Girona’s Cup goalkeeper, had work. He flew to deflect a long shot from Camacho and took out another hand to stop a right-footed shot from Álvaro Salinas. In a sea of ??difficulties came Orihuela’s second goal. The play? Traced the first time. A set piece. Booker stepped forward at the near post to finish the corner kick.
It didn’t take long for Míchel to take action on the matter. Savinho, Miguel Gutiérrez and Yan Couto fought during the break and came on in the early stages of the second half. And it was noticed. With them, ball circulation improved with an always attentive Pablo Torre, initiating the plays for the next three goals. In the first he successfully looked for Valery who, with a header pass, served it on a plate to Stuani. The Uruguayan quickly celebrated the 2-2 score.
We had to keep rowing. Dominating. Pressing. And leaving Orihuela exhausted. It was Stuani himself who scored the third. Portu joined the party by scoring the fourth into an empty net after a good assist from Miguel. Valery finished off the win, fishing for a rebound inside the area to raise his hand. Girona will be in the next round of the Copa del Rey. And on Sunday he arrives with his batteries charged to Montjuïc.
2 – Orihuela: Aitor Arias, Jaime Escobar (Revilla, min. 77), Mendi (Mpie, min. 85), Booker, Rafa Ortiz, José Damián, Aschalew, Armando Ortiz, Sergio Camacho, (Jawed, min. 68), Nacho Muñoz (Juanmi Callejón, min. 68) and Álvaro Salinas (Marc Sirera, min. 77).
5 – Girona: Fuidias, Arnau (Yan Couto, min. 57), Bernardo, Juanpe, Valery, Kebe (Savinho, min. 57), Pablo Torre, John Solís (Enric García, min. 88). Almena (Miguel Gutiérrez, min. 57), Stuani and Portu (Tsygankov, min. 83).
Goles: 0-1, min. 7: Pablo Torre. 1-1, min. 27: Mendi. 2-1, min. 45 : Booker. 2-2, min. 66: Living room. 2-3, min. 73: Stuani. 2-4, min. 82: Porto. 2-5, min. 86: Valery.
Referee: Mateo Busquets Ferrer (Balearic committee), assisted by Gonzalo García González and Asier Pérez de Mendiola González de Durana. He showed yellow cards to Nacho Muñoz for Orihuela and Stuani for Girona.
Incidents: Match played at the Los Arcos de Orihuela field corresponding to the second round of the Copa del Rey. Filled with about 5,000 spectators in the stands.
