Toyota Yaris LaLiga World: Girona FC vs Melbourne City FC - Five Talking Points

After a one-sided opening match, the Toyota Yaris LaLiga World tournament saw it's second match being played out here at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Friday. Melbourne City FC had shown their prowess against Kerala Blasters on Tuesday. However, in the second match of the tournament, their weaknesses were badly exposed by a completely dominating Girona FC.

The Blanquivermell made their intentions clear from the very outset as they concentrated on keeping possession of the ball and dominating the midfield. Whenever they lost the ball, Aleix Garcia and Co adopted a pressing football that had the opposition scrambling to keep the ball. Evidently, unlike the first match, Melbourne were not being able to dictate the proceedings.

Girona broke the deadlock as early as in the 10th minute through Cristian Portugues, better known as Portu, by the end of the 90 minutes, they had added five more. It is not like Melbourne did not have a chance or two but failure to convert the opportunities added to their own misery.

Here are the major talking points from the match:

#1 In Stuani's absence, Portu blazes through Melbourne City's defence

Girona FC had arrived in India without their top-scorer from last season, Christhian Stuani. Of course, the Uruguayan forward is enjoying an extensive summer break after making it to the quarters at the World Cup with his national team in Russia.

However, in Portu, Anthony Lozano and Borja Garcia they have quite an able forward line and truth be told, it did not seem like they were really missing Stuani.

Portu, in particular, stole the show with a superb brace. It was he who scored the first two goals of the match and gave Girona a 2-0 lead early in the match. For the first goal, he got on the end of a smart through ball while for the second, he made a superb run before executing a cheeky side-foot finish.

#2 City Blues rocked by niggles, shaky defensively

Melbourne City's defence was rocked time and again

"Our players had injuries, the Centre backs had niggles and four inexperienced players had to start the game," Melbourne City manager Warren Joyce was left ruing after the match. "We gave a few easy goals and made a lot of mistakes, but its pre-season and we know what areas we have to work on," he conceded.

Indeed, the City Blues were without Bart Schenkeveld, Osama Malik (Joyce's trusted men in defence) and had to field a three-man backline. The shake-up seemed to have harnessed the well-oiled machine at the back as Girona's forwards made merry through most of the 90 minutes. Scott Jamieson and Co. struggled to keep up with the opposition's swift passing and ended up conceding half a dozen goals.

#3 Girona dominate in midfield, courtesy Aleix Garcia

Portu (R) and

Aleix

Garcia (L) after the match

One of the primary reasons why Girona FC were able to be so dominant on the pitch today was because of their much superior midfield, spearheaded by none other than captain Aleix Garcia. The midfielder, alongside Pere Pons, were the creative force in the middle of the pitch for the Spaniards.

Aleix created a lot of chances but was unlucky not to score even though he had a couple of shots at the goal. He did provide an assist in the second half when Juanpe nodded home his inch-perfect corner. Also, another aspect of Girona's performance was their effective wing change.

But the former Manchester City man outshone everyone. Even the soft-spoken manager, Eusebio Sacritsan, went out saying, "I think Aleix played brilliantly today, he is a core member of the squad and he will definitely feature a lot more in the upcoming season."

#4 Super-sub Yhoan Andzouana

Yhoan Andzouana during his days at Monaco

While Aleix Garcia was the star of the show for Girona and while Portu stole the limelight with his brace, it was a completely different man who dribbled and sprinted his way into the fans' hearts. 21year-old Yhoan Andzouana, who usually turns out for Girona B, was absolutely magical in the flanks ever since he came on the pitch.

The Congolese winger played with flair, created chances with his breathtaking pace and even managed to find the back of the net in the 69th minute. It was a scrappy goal, with Yhoan colliding with the goalkeeper before he was able to slot the ball home but it was a prize for all his efforts. After all, he managed five shots on target for him during his brief stay and that stat, in itself, deserves a goal.

#5 Kerela Blasters in for a rough ride on Saturday

Sandesh Jhingan and Co. will have their task cut out against Girona

Girona FC were always going to be the strongest team in the tournament, at least on paper. However, the way they decimated Melbourne City FC on Friday will have Sandesh Jhingan and Co. worried. Kerala Blasters were hardly a match against the City Blues in the opener, conceding six goals. Just how many will they conceded against Girona?

Of course, should David James' men give a much more (maybe, more than much more) disciplined performance, they might have a chance to steal a draw. But even for that, they will have to keep the likes of Aleix Garcia, Portu and Yhoan