Goals from Abel Ruiz midway through the first half and Pyshchur after the break decided a tie in which Cuarte had chances to get back into the match. Chus Herrero's side showed courage and the ability to create danger against opponents from a higher division, although they lacked the finishing required to celebrate at least one goal. Thus, their Copa dream comes to an end, but the Zaragoza side leave satisfied after competing on equal terms with a team three divisions above them.
THE MATCH
At a packed "El Lobo" Stadium, decked out in green and roaring from the moment the players emerged onto the pitch, Cuarte welcomed a team that just two years ago was playing in the Champions League, with plenty to gain and little to lose. To that end, Chus Herrero fielded his strongest lineup against a Girona side that made numerous rotations and included Alejandro Francés, who was returning to Aragon after leaving Real Zaragoza.
With these players on the field, the Zaragoza side made it clear from the opening whistle that they had not come to pass the afternoon, but to fight for the tie. Although Girona, as expected, controlled possession, Chus Herrero's team pressed the Catalan side's buildup in an attempt to win the ball in the final third and attack the opposition goal quickly. With this approach, Tapia and Valdés managed two shots from outside the area that Krapyvtsov collected without difficulty.
Despite Cuarte's brave start, and as the minutes passed, the Girona side began to combine and find ways to threaten Lucas Fernández's goal. After an initial warning from a Morante shot that went narrowly wide, Abel Ruiz struck first midway through the opening half. Following a fine move down the left and a precise delivery, Lass found the completely unmarked Valencia-born striker, who only had to push the ball home to put Quique Álvarez's team ahead.
Far from giving up, the Zaragoza side continued battling on a pitch where the chants did not stop despite the opposition goal. Chus Herrero's players, who were stringing together attacking moves, came close to equalizing in an action that saw as many as three rebounds fall loose in the Catalan area, but no Cuarte attacker could finish them off. Even so, the Zaragoza side could not capitalize on their chances and went into the break behind despite a dignified and honorable first-half display.
LACK OF CUTTING EDGE
After the interval, the script did not change, and a courageous Cuarte continued to show faith, desire and determination in search of an equalizer. Losfablos, with a shot that went over the Catalan goal, and Tapia, who was inches away from reaching a ball that fell at Krapyvtsov's feet, caused problems for a Girona side seeking to continue building through possession.
Even so, as in the first half, it was Girona who found the reward of a goal. Van de Beek recycled a corner delivered to the far post, and Pyshchur took advantage to push the ball into the Zaragoza net and double the Catalan side's lead. It was a bucket of cold water that made the task almost impossible for Chus Herrero's team, which nevertheless continued trying.
The substitutions gave Cuarte a fresh injection of energy, and they once again created openings in front of the Girona goal. In fact, the Zaragoza side could not make the most of a dangerous chance that might have reduced the deficit and at least allowed them to celebrate a goal with their supporters. Even so, despite having opportunities to do so, Chus Herrero's team could not breach the opposition goal and bowed out of the Copa del Rey after putting in a serious and worthy performance.
MATCH DETAILS
C.D. Cuarte: Fernández; Pinto (Pablo López, min 60'), I. Vera, Rami, Raúl Sánchez; Jorge Pérez, Pepo Losfablos, Ramírez (De Castro, min 60'), Alberto de Sus (Elias, min 69'); Javi Valdés (Izan Ruiz, min 53'), Rodrigo Tapia (Carrasco, min 69').
Girona F.C.: Krapyvtsov; Jordana, Francés (Álex Moreno, min 84'), Júnior, Furtado (Badia, min 73'); Lass, Morante; Portu (Stuani, min 63'), Abel Ruiz, Van De Beek (Carles Pérez, min 63'); Pyshchur (Izan González, min 73') .
Referee: Alejandro Morilla Turrión. Booked Jordana (min 29') and Valdés (min 35').
Goals: Abel Ruiz (min 22') and Pyshchur (min 60').
Match notes: Copa del Rey first-round match played at Juan Guerrero "El Lobo" Stadium (Cuarte).
