A goal that will go viral revives Girona in San Sebastián

GironaIt was like a miracle. When Girona was already anticipating another defeat in San Sebastián, Tsygankov emerged (1-2). In eight minutes, from the 76th to the 84th, the Ukrainian scored a brace that finally lifted Girona out of the relegation zone. Even though the entire matchday remains to be played, even if only provisionally, seeing the Girona team above the bottom three positions in the standings changes everything. This hadn't happened since matchday 1, a distant August 15th.

When bonds are combined, things happen. And perhaps the team isn't at its best collectively, but there's no doubt that Montilivi has some good players. Ounahi is one, surely the main one. The Moroccan, with free rein to create, has been leading the attack for days with moments of brilliance. But Tsygankov is another. He's spent months dormant, infected by the negative inertia surrounding the locker room, but the Ukrainian, if given the support he needs, responds.

And he responded brilliantly against Real Sociedad, who had the game in hand but were left wanting. Tsygankov was largely responsible. He had already done his part by converting a moment of brilliance from Ounahi to equalize, because although the point wouldn't lift Míchel's men out of dire straits, a point is always better than none. But he had saved the best for last. With four minutes remaining, he provided the spark after an assist from Àlex Moreno, completing a comeback that will boost the morale of a Girona side that held on through stoppage time like true heroes.

8 points out of 15

Míchel's team has once again averted what would have been yet another crisis this season, after a week of considerable noise in which the coach publicly refused to allow Livakovic to start in goal. Aside from last week's defeat in Elche, the team, which secured its first away win of the season, has accumulated two wins and two draws in five matches. That's eight points out of a possible fifteen. Respectable numbers indeed.

Tsygankov, however, forced a rewrite of match reports, as it didn't seem like a day to celebrate. And some eyes were already turning, once again, to the goalkeeper. Gazzaniga wasn't primarily responsible for the goal, but he also didn't inspire confidence in the play that led to Guedes opening the scoring. A simple long-range assist from Zubeldia tore apart the defense, which once again left its goalkeeper exposed: Arnau and Vitor Reis were caught out of position, breaking the offside trap, and others jumped too late. Consequently, the Portuguese player faced the Argentine and beat him. He did so at the goalkeeper's near post, but the play was a series of errors. Now, however, that no longer matters. After how hard it has been to escape relegation, Girona won't be nitpicky.