Vanat confirms that Girona is Espanyol's bogey team

Cornellá de LlobregatSome call it a modern, unexpected derby, but Espanyol-Girona is still a derby. And the Pericos, who historically have only played against them regularly with Barça, experience it as such. And they suffer, because the Blanquiazules, accustomed to to give in against the BlaugranaThey have also never won at the RCDE Stadium against Girona. Yesterday they lost again (0-2). A solid Girona side and a dubious penalty that was retaken were to blame. Vanat, who has scored in three consecutive matches, sealed the victory for an impotent Espanyol side that has yet to win this year; quite the opposite for Míchel's men, who have now won nine matches.

At first, everything that could be predicted happened: Girona had possession and, with long and risky spells of possession originating from the boots of Paulo Gazzaniga –Ter Stegen is still a Barcelona player—, trying to hurt Espanyol, the surprise team of the competition. And the Blanquiazules, not at all uncomfortable with that kind of match context, tried to catch Tyrhys Dolan off guard, who was virtually invisible last night.

A schooner from the sofa

Only a shot over the bar from Thomas Lemar and a save from Daley Blind to prevent a clear shot from Edu Expósito roused the spectators watching the match from their sofas at home on the day that top-flight football returned to free-to-air television. The absence of Ounahi, who will play in the Africa Cup of Nations final with Morocco on Sunday, and Javi Puado, which will not return until next seasonIt didn't help the show.

However, just before halftime, things really heated up. Referee Iosu Galech whistled for a slight tug by Omar El Hilali on Hugo Rincón as a corner kick was taken, and the dozing viewer woke up. Marko Dmitrovic saved Vanat's penalty, but because he had moved off his line, the referee ordered it to be retaken. On the second attempt, the Ukrainian striker converted, and to further inflame the RCDE Stadium fans, already angry about the penalty, he celebrated by putting his hand to his ear in a defiant gesture. Even in Ukraine, they know it: a derby is a derby.

The introduction of Jofre Carreras, who tested Gazzaniga's reflexes and delivered a cross-shot that Roberto narrowly missed, disrupted Espanyol's attack and put the fear into Míchel's men, who were outplayed by Espanyol throughout the second half. Cabrera, with a close-range header, almost converted the Espanyol attack, a goal that was both eager and imprecise. Then, in stoppage time, Vanat made it 0-2, also from the penalty spot, further inflaming the crowd, who continued to confront Gazzani after he celebrated his second goal by clashing with the home fans.