El Girona’s pressure game unsettles Albacete at Montilivi

The Estadi de Montilivi thrummed with 10,048 supporters as El Girona prepared to host Albacete on a clear September evening. The atmosphere crackled when Abel Ruiz celebrated his strike in front of the visitors, a moment that encapsulated the match’s intensity.

Match context and early pressure

LaLiga HyperMotion’s Jornada 7 unfolded on 25/09/2026, with both sides aware of the stakes. Frente al Albacete, Girona did not dominate as expected against the penultimate‑placed side, yet they displayed a growing season‑long virtue: swift punishment when the opposition’s goal loomed. The photograph credit reads Pere Punt and Álex Luna, underscoring the visual record of the encounter.

From the first whistle, the Manchego side applied relentless pressure, carving out spaces that forced Albacete goalkeeper Álex Gazzaniga to work beyond the usual demands. The Argentine keeper suffered with his feet but proved decisive with his hands, keeping the scoreline respectable in the opening stages.

Key moments and second‑half surge

The breakthrough arrived in the sixth minute when Abel Ruiz, returning after a suspension, headed home the opening goal. His celebration captured the joy of a player finally back on the scoresheet, and the early lead set the tone for Girona’s approach.

Just before the break, Carles Pérez burst forward with speed, delivering a low ball to Van de Beek. The Dutch midfielder controlled, turned and unleashed a shot that rattled the cross‑bar before finding the net in the 43rd minute, marking his first goal for Girona in his third season.

Girona brace for Albacete despite warning not to check the table

Albacete attempted a response after the interval, with Gazzaniga producing a night‑saving stop from Soberón’s effort and later confronting Corpas. Álex Rubio struck, only to be ruled offside, while Sergio Ortuño also found the woodwork. Despite these chances, the visitors could not breach Girona’s defence.

Both managers rotated heavily. Girona’s line‑up featured Gazzaniga; Boñar, Alejandro Francés, David López, Àlex Moreno (substituted by Mate at 84 minutes); Morante, Izan; Carles Pérez (replaced by Portu at 84 minutes), Van de Beek (substituted by Abdul Mumin at 66 minutes), Javi (replaced by Unai at 77 minutes); and Abel Ruiz (substituted by Arango at 66 minutes). Albacete fielded Carlos Marín; Fran Gámez (replaced by Agustín Albarracín at 74 minutes), Lluís López, Carlos Neva, Agus Medina; Corpas, Pacheco (replaced by Rober at 74 minutes), Javier Villar (replaced by Sergio Ortuño at 46 minutes), Víctor Valverde (replaced by Higinio at 66 minutes); with Mario Soberón and Álex Rubio.

Referee Saúl Ais issued cautions to Víctor Valverde (52 minutes), Fran Gámez (67 minutes) and Higinio (80 minutes). Sergio Ortuño received a second yellow, resulting in a dismissal at 53 minutes and again in added time, sealing Albacete’s fate.

The victory marked Girona’s second consecutive win and fourth in five matches, lifting them to 13 points and temporarily placing Quique’s side third in the table. It was not a display of outright dominance, but a clear indication that the team is learning how to win without controlling every phase.