No fortune in Catalan Super Cup

FC Barcelona were unable to celebrate what would have been a fourth Catalan Super Cup out of five as Girona FC claimed the trophy on Wednesday night thanks to a solitary goal from the penalty spot.

In front of 10,722 spectators in Sabadell, the game presented a valuable opportunity for Ernesto Valverde to give run-outs to some of the less regular members of his squad, including a debut appearance for new signing Jean-Clair Todibo.

Oh la la!

The Frenchman impressed in the defensive midfield role he was assigned, and his cool nutmeg of Álex Granell was one of the highlights of the first half.

The other was an absolute rocket of a strike from Malcom that Girona keeper Gorka Iraizoz did well to keep out.

Barça B players also featured in the line-up, with Senegalese international Moussa Wagué getting his first game with the senior squad, and one of them Riqui Puig, was voted by www.fcbarcelona.com visitors as the most impressive player in the side.

Girona from the spot

But Girona, who had never won the Catalan trophy in any of its different guises, were hungry to final get their hands on the title and their efforts were rewarded after 69 minutes.

Alex Collado was deemed to have brought down Valery Fernández on the edge of the area. Cristhian Stuani converted the spot kick and the red and whites were a goal to the good with just 20 minutes to play.

Battling back

Barça fought hard to use the little remaining time to at least force the game to penalties, coming closest when Carles Aleña struck one onto the bar and Jeison Murillo very nearly sneaked one deep into injury time.

But it was to no avail and Girona at long last got the chance to be proclaimed champions of Catalonia.