MADRID, 22 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Girona will not be in this Friday’s draw for the round of 32 matches of the Copa del Rey after losing (2-1) against CP Cacereño, while RC Celta did comply (0-3) this Thursday against Gernika to leave the second round behind.
The Catalan team joins Cádiz and Almería, teams that said goodbye in the first round, as fallen from LaLiga Santander. Míchel’s team found themselves with a fierce rival, fast, well placed and with a goal despite being a soldier in the Second RFEF. A dangerous combo with the smell of cheating, which brought the Catalans down at the Príncipe Felipe Stadium in Cáceres.
An unfortunate loss of the ball allowed Samu Manchón’s steal and David Grande’s goal after a quarter of an hour (1-0). Girona was offside and was able to concede the second easily, without rhythm on the ball or depth. After half an hour, Míchel breathed with the goal from Castellanos and some other occasion.
Julio Cobos’ men showed their intentions and also fought in the second part. Girona, despite its many casualties, began to grow and Stuani touched the goal just entering the field, also Romeu. It seemed like the Catalan moment, but then Iván Fernández made it 2-1, a great goal from the front corner.
Girona found themselves against the ropes, on a very raised grass, and Cacereño did not give up in solidity at the back, it even grew in intensity. The 3-1 was much closer, three very clear chances, than the tie for the third ‘First’ to say goodbye.
Celta avoided that stick on their return to competition after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Vigo team even forgave the win against Gernika, a RFEF Second Division team, after being activated with Carles Pérez’s 0-1 scoreline after half an hour. Until then, the local team did not suffer against a Celta that started with a low profile and little play. Carles’ good goal was almost followed by a second, from Larssen.
If they did not suffer, Gernika went on to live in their field, not appearing in the rival area. The Basques tried to turn the situation around at the restart, with a strong comeback and the chance for Salado, but Celta was the one who had the punch to make it 0-2, from Aidoo in the 55th minute. Carlos Carvalhal’s men they settled on the pitch, with 0-3 from Luca de la Torre and more options that he did not need.