it was not just any derby. Football lovers had been talking about it in bars for days. On the tables. In their workplaces. Those from Girona are cautious. But excited to ring the bell. Expectants from Barça, who knew that he arrived in Montjuïc a little more than the rival who falls like a friend. The conversations were about the same debate. Who would have the ball monopoly? Who would take the prize? And above all: What would weigh more, the history of Barcelona or the illusion of Girona, which arrived at Montjuïc for the first time knowing that it is above the classification and with a football that makes you enjoy?
With these unknowns, two games were played yesterday in Montjuïc. The one on the field and the one in the stands. After recording the worst start of the season against Atlético de Madrid (34,568 spectators), Barça wanted to bounce back. And it achieved a slight recovery in capacity with 42,848 spectators. The stats will say it’s the fifth-best innings of the season. But they will also explain that the 400 Girona fans who occupied the visiting area were noticed. They didn’t sit down. They remained aphonic and in short sleeves. Packed with so much enjoyment. Without the need to admire the other Catalan team. This is already past. Why, if yours can’t go any better? To begin with, they applauded the Ukrainian Tsigankov-Dóvbik connection. And they sang magnificently about the latter’s goal. It looked like Asterix and Obelix’s little stronghold in Gaul. The one that looked for more allies among the infiltrators that were in other areas of the stadium.
But the derby in the stands was played by both fans. And, despite the defeat, the Barça fans were not left behind. He received Eric Garcia with applause, but that was as far as the sympathy went. After that he did not forgive anything. He booed Míchel’s players from the time they announced the names over the loudspeaker until the game ended, and he defended his players on foot and on horseback. There was barely time to do the famous chant Un dia de partito, which was barely played twice. His most enjoyable minute? In the 18th, when Lewandowski jumped and finished to tie the game. But little else. Gündogan’s goal came too late. They did regret Miguel Gutiérrez’s goal and, of course, Valery’s third and Stuani’s fourth, who jumped over the fence to reunite with his team. Uruguayan! shouted the Girona fans. The temperature had risen. The cold, that guest that always sneaks in without entrance at this time, disappeared. Even Xavi took off his coat.
In the box office, the presidents Joan Laporta and Delfí Geli watched the events with certain butterflies in their stomachs. Wishing himself luck and, at the same time, hoping that his team would win the match. They were not alone. The box office was filled with political, gastronomic and sporting personalities. No one wanted to miss the derby between the best Barça of the season against the best Girona in history, which woke up the “olés” of their fans.
When the referee blew the whistle for the end of the game, Gàl·lia de Girona erupted and dedicated a huge wave to his team. All with their scarves in the sky of Montjuïc. The staff, excited, thanked them. Míchel hugged his wife and son. Nobody in Girona will forget this match. The day his team left Montjuïc as the sole leader. The day the little brother grew up.
