After finishing just a point above the drop zone in 2024/25, Girona began the new LaLiga season with hopes of putting that disappointing campaign behind them. However, the home supporters were left with a familiar sinking feeling after seeing their team concede two quickfire goals inside the opening 20 minutes.
Girona shot-stopper Paulo Gazzaniga gifted the opener to Jorge de Frutos, who pounced on a mishit pass to squeeze the ball over the line from just a few yards out. Girona were soon punished for more complacency when Rayo stole possession on the halfway line, before De Frutos outmuscled Ladislav Krejčí to fizz the ball across for Álvaro García to tap home.
Girona’s miserable first half was compounded when Gazzaniga was given his marching orders for bringing down De Frutos after carelessly giving the ball away in the box. Isi Palazón stepped up to drive his penalty past substitute goalkeeper Vladyslav Krapyvtsov, rounding off a perfect first period for the visitors.
However, Rayo boss Iñigo Pérez would have been disappointed to see his side concede inside the opening 15 minutes of the second period, as Joel Roca fired home his first LaLiga goal following some determined work from Viktor Tsygankov down the right flank.
To Girona’s credit, they showed great fight in the final half-hour to cause their opponents a problem or two, although Rayo never truly looked like giving up their winning position with a numerical advantage.
Pathé Ciss saw a late effort ruled out for offside, but that could not stop Los Franjirrojos from celebrating an opening-day win that acts as the perfect appetiser for their upcoming UEFA Conference League play-off clash against Neman Grodno.
As for Girona, they have work to do ahead of their next league outing against UEFA Champions League participants Villarreal.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Jorge de Frutos (Rayo Vallecano)