Girona came close to victory for much of the match in an entertaining encounter against Alavés, who snatched two points in the final minute (2-2). However, the Girona side continues to boast Champions League-caliber statistics for 2026, having accumulated more points in eight matches than only Real Madrid and Barcelona.

April 4, 2023, at San Mamés. Extra time is being played in the Copa del Rey semi-final between Athletic Club and Osasuna. In the 115th minute, Pablo Ibáñez, then playing for Osasuna, scores the decisive goal that sends the Navarrese side to the final. He dedicates the goal to his cousin, the young Hugo Rincón, who was playing for Bilbao Athletic at the time and was in the stands. They created the emotional image of the day, captured by cameras embracing in a flood of tears, a moment that quickly went viral. This Monday, they will face each other for the second time in La Liga in the Alavés-Girona match at Mendizorrotza (9 p.m., Movistar LaLiga). The first time was in the Montilivi match in November. Today, they share the dream that both have fulfilled.

It was when they were in dire straits that Girona showed their desire to stay in La Liga, a will that until now had only been glimpsed in dribs and drabs. This is how it goes; we often don't get our act together until necessity demands it. Girona were fighting for their lives, and they defeated Alavés (1-0) to temporarily climb out of the relegation zone. Míchel's men, just as the manager wanted, suffered, fought, and ran together. Perhaps not in that order or in the same amounts, but they did it. Luck also appeared at the ideal moments, contributing to a victory that puts a pause on the debate surrounding the manager's position. For now, Míchel is untouchable.

In Girona, all the alarm bells have definitely gone off. The defeat to Alavés, a direct rival in the fight to avoid relegation, added to the already recurring poor image, has provoked indignation in Montilivi (0-1). The fans, who not long ago idolized their team, now hiss at them. The unbridled passion that prevailed in the city has given way to the panic of seeing the ship sinking with no one doing anything to stop it. Míchel's team has only collected six of the 33 points in the second half of the season, winning one of their last thirteen. A disaster.