UD Las Palmas Couldn't Find the Equalizer in Girona (2-1)
It wasn’t meant to be. UD Las Palmas returns from Girona without the reward they deserved. The yellow team lost 2-1 at Montilivi in a match with two very different phases. After halftime, the visitors showed their best form, creating numerous chances to at least secure a draw. Matchday 22 also marked the debut of Stefan Bajcetic, recently loaned from Liverpool.
Las Palmas found themselves trailing early on after a deep attacking play by Girona, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from the visitors. Abel Ruiz finished the move on his own with a precise shot, leaving Cillessen unable to respond as Girona took a 1-0 lead.
The Gran Canaria side had approached the game with enthusiasm, actively seeking attacking opportunities to break the deadlock. Moleiro and Fabio Silva were the most dangerous, linking up in the final third and testing the home defense, though their efforts were blocked.
However, Las Palmas lost their initial rhythm in the first half, allowing Girona to create more danger near Cillessen’s goal. The Dutch keeper became the standout player of the opening 45 minutes, making two key saves to keep his team in the game. In the 34th minute, he pushed away a dangerous shot from Bryan Gil, and in the 43rd, he denied Abel Ruiz from the penalty spot, diving to his right to keep the score at 1-0.
That penalty decision had sparked major frustration among the visitors. The VAR team assisted referee Melero López in reviewing a play where McKenna jumped to clear the ball but also made contact with Herrera, who had no real chance to play it. Despite this, the referee deemed it a foul, leading to the penalty, which Cillessen ultimately saved.
The second half was a completely different story, with Las Palmas dominating. The visitors came out determined to find the equalizer, putting Gazzaniga and his defenders under significant pressure. They created four clear chances within the first 15 minutes: Moleiro forced a save from Gazzaniga in the 47th minute, Silva headed wide in the 54th, Moleiro sent a volley over the bar in the 57th, and Silva missed another opportunity a minute later when through on goal.
However, Girona struck first in the second half, scoring their second goal with their first real attempt—Asprilla finding the net. But Las Palmas responded immediately, as Fabio Silva pulled one back just a minute later following a well-executed set piece. At 2-1, hope was restored.
Diego Martínez’s side kept pushing until the final whistle. Their last big chance came in the 84th minute when McBurnie fired a shot across goal, only for it to go just wide of the post.
