Espanyol-Girona, a new but unprecedented rivalry in Second

Although between Montilivi and the RCDE Stadium (or Sarrià or Montjuïc in the past) there are barely 100 kilometers, the rivalry between Espanyol and Girona is so modern that it responds to the last three years. Both clubs have always traced different paths, with a Espanyol assiduous to the First Division, a historical one, and a Girona used to playing in Second B and Third until recently he made the leap to the elite. There was born an effervescent social rivalry in recent times and for first time both faces will be seen in second.

With the cup matches of the 1940s as the only official precedents, in the season 2017-18 took place on first Espanyol-Girona in Cornellà-El Prat. It's funny, both teams have won two of the four matches, and all of them in the opposite field. A warning for a Espanyol that has not yet won at home. That meeting on 17-18 was one of the first raids against Quique Sánchez Flores and Chen Yansheng. In fact, a return later the Madrid was dismissed.

The Girona won 0-1 with a goal from Timor after a strategic move, but in the second leg, at the premiere of David Gallego, the parakeets won 2-0 with a double from international Gerard Moreno. That victory was also the beginning of a spotless run by the Catalan coach that served to stabilize Espanyol and earn Chen's confidence for the future..

In the 2018-19 academic year, with Rubi on the bench, history repeated itself. In Cornellà-El Prat the Gironans won by 1-3. That defeat was the continuation of a disastrous streak that almost cost the coach his job. Ultimately, Espanyol made their way into Europe thanks in part to their 1-2 win at Montilivi. Both came to that duel just one point apart. Espanyol finished in Europe and Girona fell. A year and a half later they meet again.