6-2: Girona FC indulge in villainy to tear UD Almería apart in goal-laden match
The Rojiblancos drift down the tunnel trailing 4-0 and score two second-half consolation goals courtesy of Ramazani and El Bilal Toure. Winless run goes on away from home.
There was a real carnival atmosphere at the Montilivi Stadium since Girona FC embraced heroism and indulged in villainy with superhero costumes to tear UD Almería apart in a goal-laden match. The Blanc-i-Vermells thrashed the hapless Indalicos 6-2, who drifted down the tunnel at half-time trailing 4-0. Over the course of the opening forty-five minutes, UD Almeria were totally dominated by Girona FC. Even though Largie Ramazani and El Bilal Toure scored two second-half consolation goals, the guests suffered a worrying defeat to direct rivals taking into account the next adversaries in the agenda. Their winless run goes on away from home.
Head coach Rubi rang the changes, aiming to bounce back after two back-to-back defeats looking to clinch the first away victory of season, by bringing in Robertone, who was in the midfield along with César de la Hoz and Samú Costa. Leo Baptistao teamed up with Luis Suárez and Embarba up front. Rodrigo Ely, who was injured against Real Betis, started from the off once he had fully recovered. On the contrary, Alejandro Pozo, with some discomfort felt in that same match, was not named in the squad list and was replaced by Mendes.
UD Almeria started the game well aware of the fact that Girona FC are in fine form at home, where they have bagged 18 out of the 24 points so far. The hosts dictated the play and outplayed the visitors from the beginning. The opening half got off to a dream start for Girona FC, who went in at the break 4-0 up thanks to goals by Taty Castellanos (8’), Viktor Tsyganko (34’), Rodrigo Riquelme (36’) and last but not least, Javi Hernández (43’). They all had taken advantage of their arch rivals’ errors in defence, duels lost and lack of goal-scoring threat… even having a goal disallowed.
Rubi made four second-half substitutions in a bid to freshen things up: Mendes, Samú, Embarba and Baptistao made way for Arnau, Chumi, El Bilal Touré and Ramazani. The gaffer tried the impossible as they were fighting a losing battle. In fact, only a minute after the restart, Fernando denied Girona's fifth goal, who were still in command.
Like the monstrous villain in horror films, UD Almeria were not dead, even when they looked buried under an avalanche of first-half goals. Robertone’s breakaway ended with a precise assist to team-mate Largie Ramazani, who netted the first consolation goal on 66 minutes bringing some kind of hope to his side. UD Almeria went on a full blast as they knew that if they slammed in the second soon, they could turn things around, especially with El Bilal Toure, Luis Suárez and Ramazani high up the pitch. However, in two minutes (76’ and 78’), Girona FC extended their lead through Iván Martín and Stuani.
6-1 and twelve minutes to go until the full-time whistle. UD Almeria had a mountain to climb but as it was a goal fest, El Bilal Toure fired the second consolation goal home to make it 6-2. UD Almeria’s road woes continue as they remain winless away from home. Now it is time to build self-esteem from their strengths.
