Girona flushed out any traces of bad blood from last weekend by battering Real Zaragoza 3-0 in the first leg of their Segunda playoff semi-final.
The Catalans were ultimately pipped to automatic promotion by Sporting Gijon on the final day of the season after they conceded a late equaliser against Lugo, only for the match to descend into chaos as a linesman was hit with a bottle by a frustrated home supporter in injury time.
Girona’s record against Zaragoza in 2014-15 read a defeat and draw, but they extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches in style thanks to a brace from Jaime Mata, sandwiched by a Fabian Lejeune effort, at La Romareda.
Pablo Machin’s men have never played in La Liga throughout their 85-year history – in stark contrast to their opponents, who were relegated in 2013 and have spent much of their existence in the top flight.
Image courtesy @AdamDiDa via Twitter
