Valencia scratched a point against Espanyol, after a serious mistake by ‘perico’ goalkeeper Álvaro Fernández
MADRID, 2 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Valencia managed to draw (2-2) against Espanyol in the last breath after an error by goalkeeper ‘perico’ Álvaro Fernández, while RC Celta recovered their smile with a win (1-0) against Betis who fought until final in Balaídos, but could not prolong its good dynamics; and Real Sociedad got oil out of the crazy duel against Girona with a victory (3-4) that puts them in Europe.
Girona and Real Sociedad gave away a game full of emotions and goals, a real luxury for the fans, although not so much for the coaches, who suffered too much with their somewhat soft defences. Sorloth, with a double, and Remiro, with high-level interventions in the final stretch, were the most outstanding of the Basques, who showed more tenacity and effectiveness.
The Norwegian striker struck first for the Basques with a goal in the 8th minute, the first of a goal-fest in Montilivi. The early goal made Girona react, who came from behind in the first half with a real goal from Rodrigo Riquelme, who made a ‘tunnel’ to Zubimendi on the left and then connected a powerful shot placed directly into the top corner. Just four minutes later, in the 27th minute, Arnau finished off a dive to make it 2-1 and restore calm, only momentarily, to the local team.
The meeting entered a somewhat diffuse stretch, but Sorloth appeared again before the break to tie. After the break, ‘Taty’ Castellanos once again put Girona ahead, which began to feel more comfortable, until Real joined the game again. Brais Méndez, at 66′ and when the Basques were worse off, launched a lateral free kick from the right that was poisoned by its inward effect and slipped into the net, against a somewhat immobile Juan Carlos.
Then, the recital of the Real gamers began, spurred on by Silva, Merino, Kubo and company, they decided a match installed in madness from the beginning. Zubimendi made it 3-4 and Kubo sentenced for the Basques, after three dangerous chances by the locals to tie. Remiro had a leading role in the final stretch, preventing Girona from fighting for a draw. This victory puts Real sixth and leaves the Catalans thirteenth.
THE CELTIC GRAVES THE EUPHORIA OF THE BETIS
Betis arrived at Balaídos in top form, with two wins in a row and only one loss in the competition. However, they could not add the three points against Celta who did not have Iago Aspas, due to a last-minute loss. The duel began in an unbeatable way for the Galicians, with a goal from Veiga, who continues to grow, and beat Rui Silva in the 9th minute.
Luiz Henrique’s expulsion in the 20th minute continued to take away arguments from Betis, who nevertheless did not stop pushing, trying to scratch something positive from Balaídos. He tried it in every way, with a very clear option for Borja Iglesias, but Marchesín took his low shot. And the changes in the second part improved the verdiblancos. Fekir returned, who entered for Borja Iglesias, and William José entered, who had the first after the restart, but the Argentine goalkeeper was a wall.
Álex Moreno shot from the edge of the box, taking advantage of a MOntoya pass from the right, forcing Marchesín to work hard. Despite being with one less, Betis locked up the Galicians, who took refuge in the success and reflexes of their goalkeeper, the hero of the locals this Sunday. Pezzela and Ruibal also had the tie in their boots, but the success was not on the side of the verdiblancos, who left without a prize from Balaídos, to continue fourth with 15 points in the table. Celta is tenth with 10 units.
ÁLVARO FERNÁNDEZ ‘GIVES’ A POINT TO VALENCIA AFTER AN ERROR
Gennaro Gattuso’s team came out of the RCDE Stadium alive with a goal from Cömert in minute 95, making use of a resounding miss by Álvaro Fernández. This tie keeps Valencia in ninth place with 10 points, while Espanyol sinks to sixteenth place with 5 points, after three defeats and a draw in the last five games.
Espanyol started with very high pressure to try to start with more intensity at home, where they have yet to win this season. Perov Calero’s position in the right lane was a gold mine for a Samuel Lino who was a dagger for that left part of the Valencian attack. The player on loan from Atlético de Madrid became Cavani’s best dance partner, who had two clear ones at the start.
The Catalans resisted the entire first half and began to believe in getting something positive, but Valencia took the lead in the 53rd minute with a good headed goal by Gabriel Paulista from a set piece. It was a hard blow for the Blue and Whites, who, however, recovered quickly and three minutes later equalized with a great goal from Joselu, who shot close to the long post with an impossible effect for Mamardashvili.
The goalkeeper saved the second in a one-on-one with Braithwaite, but was powerless as Darder made it 2-1 with less than ten minutes remaining. In those last moments, both teams saw a red card, and when Espanyol was close to the first win at home, Álvaro Fernández made a huge mistake that condemned his team, allowing Cömert’s goal.