Girona's powerlessness, anger, and frustration in Leganés

GIRONAIt was the perfect night. It couldn't have been better. Portu and Stuani, finally starting, were providing the adrenaline rush Girona needed. They had made it 1-0, a goal that moved the relegation zone five points away. It was golden, a victory that broke the losing streak. But a mistake, yet another act of selfishness from Danjuma, who instead of holding onto the ball in the 92nd minute and closing out the game, decided to leave it open by waging war on his own, gave Leganés wings, who edged two points clear of their opponents, who knows if they'll miss them at the end of the La Liga season (1-1). Everything remains the same, with the relegation zone three points away. There are fifteen more at stake.

The story of Portu and Stuani at Girona is like something out of a movie. They've experienced so many situations that it seems like a lifetime. They've seen Girona rise to the First Division, but they've also seen it relegated to the Second Division. They've been the protagonists of incredible victories, but they've also seen the dark side, with defeats that have left the city reeling. They even defended the club's emblem while the Champions League anthem played, traveling to major European cities. They've literally given their all for the club. But as time has passed, they've played less. From starters, they've become supporting players, often called up at the last minute to (usually) pull things out of trouble. However, they've never raised their voices. They haven't complained once. They haven't minded putting their own interests aside, because their priority, at all times, has been for Girona to benefit.

They hadn't started together in La Liga for almost six years, until that fateful night when, with Eusebio, they were relegated to the Second Division after a defeat at Montilivi against Levante. In the midst of a crisis, and with the threat of another relegation looming, Míchel has called on them again from the start. Everyone was clamoring for it. And, of course, his presence has altered the staff's mood. Suddenly, the collective sadness and terror of defeat have been replaced by the feeling of being able to overcome any obstacle. That's the added value of players like Portu and Stuani, who ensure that no one fears anything. Years will pass, but that forward line will always be eternal for Girona.

70 minutes ahead

Neither the pressure nor the stage intimidated the aging red-and-white rockers, who took the final in Leganés as if it were a personal matter. They were decisive from the start, when a sprint in which Portu showed unwavering faith ended with the expulsion of Cissé, who cut off the Murcian as the last man. A move out of nowhere that became crucial, because the home side, who are more at risk than the Catalans, faded. In fact, they barely had any dangerous chances throughout the match.

But the ecstasy was missing. Girona dominated, but they struggled to convert. Tsygankov had a couple of clear chances, but between the sluggish turf and the sun, which angered him, he couldn't move the scoreboard. But it wasn't the Ukrainian's day. Or Yangel Herrera's. Or Arthur's. Not from Juanpe, who also participated. Not from anyone other than Portu and Stuani. It was at the start of the second half, with the Girona team completely overwhelmed by their numerical superiority, when the former's cross was headed into the back of the net by the latter. A goal that brought them much closer to staying in the First Division. Until Danjuma's misfortune arrived, extending the poor run to eleven games without a win and leaving us in a funk in the locker room.