The Ride of the Valkyries

About justice. Although injustice is a very relative value, not to say inapplicable in the world of football, if there were a game that could justify the concept of this triumph of Girona against Espanyol. The siege of Espanyol was impressive – ten shots accumulated within half an hour – when Pablo Moreno, in the first shot on goal by the rojiblancos, established a 1-0 in the end very valuable. Definitive.

The Valkyries. The parakeet attack and goal occurred in the second half, while the gasoline and the heads lasted without being obfuscated against the sticks and the omnipresent Juan Carlos, as if that Cavalcade of the Valkyries by Wagner was sounded by the Montilivi loudspeaker and the helicopters of Apocalypse Now. And it was not for less, because if the Valkyries were mythological beings who were collecting the fallen in battle, in the case of Espanyol the (co) leadership of Segunda was taken to Mallorca, paradoxically, in one of the best matches and one of the most coral of the Vicente Moreno stage. They did not deserve to draw, or win, they even deserved to score. Inexplicable.

A definite eleven. The initial team presented by Vicente Moreno did not contain any surprises, unlike what happened in the Cup against Osasuna. And that means that Espanyol has a gala line-up, which can almost be recited from memory, but also that the level between those chosen and the bottom of the wardrobe may be dangerously distancing itself. Today, the only fight for ownership that seems to be in force is that of the axis behind, with Cabrera and Calero alternating and with Lluís López still injured. Above, it was just verified in Montilivi that Nico Melamed has won the game over Melendo and that the trainer finds that duality of Puado, already away from the band, as a hitch and second point.

Antiderbi. This Girona-Espanyol (or vice versa) is beginning to be described as a derby, and the truth is that the rivalry is through the roof, and this time there was no audience. But four years ago that rivalry didn't even exist. And few derbies have the uniqueness that this one presents: that you never know when the next one will be played. Will it be next season? In a decade? In what category? One of the few traditions that could be associated with this match was broken this time, since for the first time the visiting team did not win. And it will not be because Espanyol did not try.

Old friends. And on the brink of halftime, shortly before 1-0, the director was commissioned to repeat one of those actions that already evoke tradition. A ball divided by which Stuani and David López jump, in which the Uruguayan drops his elbow, this time without a nasal fracture. He was so close to the gang that Vicente Moreno protested it, although he would have done well to protect himself just in case. Speaking of old friends, by the way, Espanyol's first two captains last season made headlines this Saturday. Javi López, making his debut with Adelaide United, provided his first assist. And Víctor Sánchez debuted his locker at Western United with a great goal. Australia suits them, in the antipodes, as the defeat of Espanyol in Montilivi is deserved or just.