Girona vs Alaves

Pyshchur's header against the crossbar from a corner early in the second half was the closest either side came to a breakthrough for 40 minutes. Álvarez made 14 substitutions across the 90 minutes, emptying his bench to distribute minutes, while Sánchez Flores kept his starting XI on the pitch throughout — only Facundo Tenaglia played the full match.

With the game drifting towards a goalless draw, Alavés won a corner on the left in the 89th minute. Abde Rebbach's delivery was precise, and García — an academy product introduced from the bench — rose unchallenged to plant a header past the Girona goalkeeper.

Antonio Sivera (Alavés) — The Alavés goalkeeper made crucial saves, most notably from Bryan Gil before half-time. His clean sheet was the foundation of the victory. Player of the match.

Vladyslav Vanat (Girona) — The most dangerous attacker on the pitch in the first half, creating the early chance and linking well with the midfield before his early substitution.

Álvaro García (Alavés) — Barely involved until the 89th minute, but his movement on the corner and finishing touch were the difference between the sides.

Bryan Gil (Girona) — The former Tottenham winger was lively on the left flank, drawing Sivera's best save and showing flashes of the quality that will be important for Girona's Segunda División campaign.

Girona's 14 substitutions to Alavés' zero underscores the contrasting pre-season philosophies. Álvarez used the fixture to give minutes to a deep squad — every outfield starter was replaced, some twice. Sánchez Flores prioritised building match sharpness in his first-choice XI. The single shot on target in the second half (García's goal) reflected a game low on cutting edge, typical of early pre-season encounters.

The 0-0 half-time scoreline and 0-1 final result are unremarkable on their own, but the balance of play — Girona created the clearer openings, hit the woodwork, and forced Sivera into action — suggests the hosts were the more coherent side in open play.

Alavés secured their second pre-season win of the summer (first in 90 minutes, after beating SD Eibar on penalties in the Villa de la Guardia trophy). Sánchez Flores' side face CD Castellón on 31 July and Racing Santander on 7 August before opening their La Liga campaign at home to Getafe on 15 August.

Girona suffered their first defeat of pre-season after a 0-0 draw against Saudi side Al Qadiah and a 3-1 win over Olot. Quique Álvarez's squad, preparing for life in LaLiga Hypermotion after relegation from La Liga, have further friendlies before the Segunda División season begins. The injury to Morante is the one genuine concern from the afternoon.

A pre-season friendly decided by a single set-piece was never going to reveal much about either side's season prospects. Girona will take more encouragement from the balance of play and the integration of summer arrivals; Alavés will value the winning habit and another 90 minutes of fitness for their starting XI. The result itself is incidental — the fitness and minutes gained are the real currency of July football.