GIRONAWhen you always complain, you run the risk of fueling a debate in which others are always to blame; a factor that clouds self-criticism. But the refereeing received by Girona is difficult to understand. We could pull out of newspaper archives and talk about the finals of play-off lost in the last two years, from the unjust expulsion of Stuani against Elche, the goal annulled in Bustos in Vallecas or the penalty not whistled in the return by the hands of a Rayo defender. There are also antecedents in the League, such as last year’s game in Almeria where Girona were left with eight or the countless occasions in which the offside lines have been drawn in one way or another depending on who provoked them. Delfí Geli even went out in public to complain. That’s how big the subject must be, because Girona never usually opens its mouth.
Although we will not go that far, we will move on to the present. Gorostegui Fernández’s show in Montilivi has been disproportionate and, above all, illogical. In just 45 minutes he has corrected two decisions that would have paved the way a lot in the visit of Lugo to the stadium, knowing that after the puncture of Valladolid, the white-and-reds could be placed provisionally at only four points of direct ascent. This, with an Almeria-Eibar that will be played this Monday, also serves to cut more points with those above. Mr. Gorostegui Fernández, with the inescapable contribution of the VAR, disallowed a penalty by Ricard and invalidated a goal to Santi Bueno for offside. The two actions, very just, continue to show that the arbitral criterion works according to the wind. And they missed a couple of points (1-1).
Courage is not enough
But they don’t know the angry Girona, a team that has overcome a thousand setbacks to be where it is and that is not so easily scared. He’s used to playing against everything, he won’t come in a day. Without Stuani, Míchel opted for Bustos, who opened the scoring in the second half, ending the umpteenth magic trick between Samu Saiz and Álex Baena. The people of Girona had to cut stones in front of a rocky group used to not leaving holes. Things of destiny, it was Bustos, the same one who not long ago was crying when they replaced him because nothing came out of him, who put the ball in the net. Doing justice. Demonstrating to everyone that no matter how hard they try to take the opposite, Girona will be where it is at the end of the season: fighting to have a beautiful end, as if this championship were a story and he the protagonist.
It’s not that it was a game in which the ball spun smoothly. It was difficult for Girona to prevail and, with the advantage, they even retreated a few meters, harassed as they were by a Lugo willing to make fun of them, like that night when he took a promotion to Primera. Chris Ramos finished off a cross to the post and Montilivi reminded the squad that she is not alone, that this path is made by being together, supporting them when they needed it most. The team responded with an opportunity that between Baena and Bueno was wasted. Where the legs did not reach, it seemed that the heart would reach. But Barreiro, after a header from Xavi Torres in the woodwork, silenced everyone.
There was still courage and time for some surprises. Girona was emptied, delivered as it was. And Santi Bueno finished off the crossbar in an act of faith, driven by the desire for a city that ended up proud, in spite of everything. He identifies with what he sees on the field of play. Many times, it’s as simple as that.
