Girona FC vs. Rayo Vallecano (29.12.2022)

In an enthralling encounter that took place on December 29, 2022, Girona FC hosted Rayo Vallecano in what was a true test of resilience and strategy. The match commenced with a swift move by Rayo Vallecano, as Sergio Camello found the back of the net just 2 minutes into the game, giving the visitors an early lead.

Girona quickly felt the pressure, and it manifested in a booking for Arnau Martínez, who received a yellow card in the 13th minute. The home team fought back and was rewarded with a chance to equalize when a penalty was confirmed for Girona in the 31st minute. V. Castellanos stepped up to take the spot-kick three minutes later, showing composure as he slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to level the score.

The second half brought more intensity to the match, with Rayo Vallecano regaining their lead courtesy of Isi Palazón, who scored in the 62nd minute. This goal coincided with a tactical decision by Rayo, which saw Ó. Trejo being introduced to the pitch as their first substitution.

Girona responded with a series of substitutions in the 71st minute, introducing fresh legs in the form of Iván Martín, Rodrigo Riquelme, and Yan Couto in a bid to turn the tide of the game. Amidst the changes, Girona earned another penalty in the 75th minute, and Samuel Sáiz stepped up to the challenge in hopes of once again drawing Girona level.

Amidst the high tensions, caution was thrown to the wind resulting in several players receiving yellow cards for their conduct on the pitch. This included Rayo's star Isi Palazón soon after his goal, Girona's Oriol Romeu, and Cristhian Stuani. Even Rayo Vallecano's notorious striker Radamel Falcao couldn't escape the referee's book, receiving a yellow card in the 86th minute.

As the clock ticked down, both teams sought to solidify their positions with further substitutions. Rayo Vallecano implemented their final changes in stoppage time, hoping to maintain their slender advantage until the final whistle.

The match concluded with Rayo Vallecano securing a win away from home, taking crucial points in a game where Girona FC fought valiantly but ultimately fell short. This clash was a testament to the unpredictability and excitement that football offers, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Lineup Girona FC

Lineup Rayo Vallecano

Substitutes Girona FC

Substitutes Rayo Vallecano

Girona FC

The club nicknames are Gironistes and Blanquivermells (white and red). Also because the club colours are of course white and red. These colours are represented on the home jerseys by unusual diagonal stripes. This motif is also found in the club crest. The club plays at the Estadi Montilivi, which has a capacity of 14 450 seats. Due to their first participation in La Liga, the stadium was expanded to this capacity in 2017. The required capacity for Spain's top league is at least 15,000 people, so the stadium still has a slight capacity deficit.

Rayo Vallecano

The club, with the full name Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, has nicknames such as Los Vallecanos or Los Franjirrojos (the red sash). Indeed, it looks as if the club's players wear red sashes, represented by the diagonal red stripe on the otherwise white home jersey. The club plays its home games at the Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas, a stadium with a capacity of 14,505.

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