"Oriol is the key. He's the player who best understands what I want, in terms of attack, defense, and transitions. He's able to do everything for me, he balances things out for me. The team's structure is built around him." These words from Míchel Sánchez, spoken in June 2023, seem like decades ago. Back then, Romeu had had a spectacular first season at Montilivi. The Girona midfielder was the big summer signing of his return to the First Division and one of the season's standout performers. Two years later, his performance (and that of the team) has plummeted.