This weekend, during the first full La Liga slate of fixtures in around a month, there was action for two Tottenham Hotspur loanees. Alejo Veliz and his RCD Espanyol side hosted Real Valladolid, whilst Bryan Gil and Girona hosted Sevilla.
First up, on Friday night, was the big game at the bottom of the league between Espanyol and Valladolid. For the big game, Veliz was named in the starting XI for the first time in the league since the 23rd of November, as he partnered reported Spurs target Javi Puado.
After 31 minutes, Puado himself opened the scoring for Espanyol. Then, not long before the hour mark, Valladolid equalised. A few minutes later, Veliz missed a presentable opportunity to retake the lead for the hosts. However, after 71 minutes, they did retake the lead.
That second goal would be enough for all three points, with Espanyol picking up an absolutely crucial 2-1 win in their six pointer at the bottom of the table. This win leaves them in 17th place in the La Liga table, outside the relegation zone, with 19 points from their 20 games. Veliz played 80 minutes.
Then, earlier on today, Girona were in action against Sevilla. For this one, Gil started on the left hand side of a 4231 set up. Three minutes into the game, former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper, Paulo Gazzaniga, saved a Sevilla penalty. Tomorrow is five years to the day since he saved a Troy Deeney penalty when Spurs drew 0-0 with Watford.
With 36 minutes on the clock, Girona took the lead. However, after 59 minutes, Sevilla equalised. Then, with two minutes of normal time remaining, the visitors took the lead, ensuing late heartbreak for Gil and his Girona side. The on loan Spurs man was subbed immediately after the winner, after not being able to make much of an impact during the game.
This defeat leaves Girona in 8th place in La Liga, with 28 points from their 20 games so far.
Next up for Espanyol is a game against Sevilla themselves, though on the road, with that game taking place next Saturday, at 17:30 GMT. Meanwhile, although they have already been knocked out of the competition, Girona have two more Champions League games to play. The first of which is away to AC Milan on Wednesday, with a 20:00 GMT kick off there.