Girona’s Late Equaliser Denies Valencia Crucial Victory in LaLiga Draw

In a tightly contested LaLiga encounter at the Estadi Montilivi, Girona and a struggling Valencia finished level at 1-1, leaving Los Ches still on the lookout for their first away league victory this season (D7, L7).

Girona had not tasted victory since early February (D2, L3), yet they managed to craft the first significant opportunity of the match just before the 15-minute mark.

Bojan Miovski will lament a missed chance, as he inexplicably sent his shot over the stands with only Giorgi Mamardashvili to beat.

The near goal sparked Valencia into life, with Umar Sadiq’s powerful effort in the 23rd minute forcing an outstanding one-handed save from Paulo Gazzaniga.

Moments later, Arthur Melo unleashed a stunning effort from distance that looked destined for the top corner, only for the Juventus loanee’s strike to sail just inches over the crossbar.

As the first half concluded without goals, Girona nearly broke the deadlock straight after the break. However, Mamardashvili was alert enough to deny Arnau Martinez’s header at the near post.

This save proved critical because, shortly after, Dimitri Foulquier’s impressive run on the right culminated in a perfect assist for Diego Lopez, who slid the ball into the net to put the visitors ahead in the 58th minute.

Valencia, unfortunately for them, restored parity just six minutes later.

Having come off the bench last week to score a late equaliser with a penalty against Espanyol, club captain Cristhian Stuani made another impactful substitute appearance, finding the net once again to level the match.

Arnaut Danjuma almost reversed the course of the match in the 72nd minute with a thunderous strike from a tight angle, but Mamardashvili was equal to the task, expertly redirecting the shot around the post.

The Georgian goalkeeper displayed his skills once more, preserving a point for his team by pushing Yaser Asprilla’s attempt away from danger.

This draw sees Girona sitting mid-table, exactly seven points adrift of the top six and the relegation zone, while Valencia remains precariously one point above the drop zone in 16th place.