Honours even in Montilivi

Real Sociedad came away from Girona with a point tonight, though it was a performance that promised more than it delivered. A hard-fought 1-1 draw leaves them eighth in the table with two matches left to play.

The hosts had plenty riding on the result and made their intentions clear from the off,  Tsygankov tested Remiro early on, only to see his effort kept out by the post. Real Sociedad threatened on the break, but Barrene, legs heavy after a long run, could not make the most of the opportunity. Against the run of play, the txuri urdin took the lead before the half-hour through a Jon Martín header from a corner. Girona pressed relentlessly in search of a response, peppering Remiro from distance, but could not find a way through before the interval.

The second half belonged almost entirely to the hosts. Real Sociedad offered little going forward as Girona turned up the pressure, and their persistence was eventually rewarded when Stuani equalised. With no real threat at the top end of the pitch, Matarazzo's side focused on keeping things tight at the back, and at least managed to hold on for a share of the spoils.

Eighth place, two games to go. Next up: the Anoeta farewell against Valencia on Sunday.

Match details:

Girona FC: Gazzaniga, Arnau (cap), Francés, Vitor Reis, Álex Moreno, Iván Martín (Lemar, min.57), Witsel (Beltrán, min.57), Roca, Tsygankov (Echeverri, min.80), Ounahi and Bryan Gil (Stuani, min.46).

Real Sociedad: Remiro, Aramburu (Turrientes, min.87), Martín, Ćaleta-Car, Sergio Gómez, Gorrotxa (Soler, min.57), Herrera (Zubeldia, min.87), Sučić, Barrene (Marín, min.34), Take (Carrera, min.57) and Oyarzabal (cap).

Goals: 0-1: Martín, min.28. 1-1: Stuani, min.66.

Referee: Miguel Sesma. Booked Francés and Roca for Girona FC, and Barrene, Aramburu, Oyarzabal, Sergio Gómez, Ćaleta-Car, Carrera and Turrientes for Real Sociedad.