Cristhian Stuani and Girona: the legend continues

GironaThe history they have built together is so strong that it is now impossible to understand Girona and Cristhian Stuani separately. Neither the relegation to the Second Division nor the economic differences, in a negotiation that has dragged on longer than expected, have been able to overcome a relationship that will live its tenth chapter after the Uruguayan's renewal until June 2027. The agreement is a positive shock for the excitement of a team that faced the summer with desperation, because until now, at Montilivi, optimism has been conspicuous by its absence: the squad is not being emptied and this causes new faces to be scarce.

The green light for Stuani's continuity has been celebrated, but the agony with which his case has been managed does not bode well for the resolution of the countless open fronts that the sports management is handling. The Uruguayan has been treated with very little sensitivity during this process. It is true that he will soon be forty years old and that the big data, artificial intelligence and all the resources that entities use to evaluate if a footballer is profitable considering their performance, tend to reject an operation like this. But Stuani is not just anyone: neither football-wise (he saved the club two seasons ago and almost did it a few months ago), nor sentimentally.

The will of the set has always been to stay at Montilivi, even losing money. In the decade he has been at Girona, he has rejected offers to grow it. And now, when the club is going through a delicate moment, he has once again responded clearly: he only wants to wear the white and red colours to try to return them to the First Division. However, the understanding between the parties has been stalled for many weeks after the contract ended in June and he had to negotiate new conditions. Both parties have ended up giving in and continuity is now a reality.

Stuani joins the group of privileged players who will have played ten years for Girona. Until now, only Manel Trias, 17 seasons between 1932 and 1951; Fèlix Ferró and Josep Ferrer, 14 seasons in the thirties and forties; Isidre Sala, 13 between 1963 and 1976; and Joan Múñoz and Chechu Flores, 10 between 1952 and 1962, and 2001 and 2011, respectively, could say this. The Uruguayan will be the seventh on the list and could catch up to and surpass Fèlix Farró for second place among players with the most matches in history. He has been the top scorer for years.

Time is running out

With less than three weeks to go before the championship begins, Girona continues with the same problems that have characterized it in recent summers. For now, it has only made four signings, two of which were already tied up since the beginning of the year and a third which is an promotion from the reserve team. And practically there have been no movements in terms of departures, despite the different interests received for the bulk of a squad that will hardly remain when the market's shutter finally closes.

It is already foreseen that it will be a rush in the final days, with the drawback that there will be points at stake in the blink of an eye, and some of the players who do not want to continue at Montilivi may be forced to compete, during the first few matchdays, with the risk of getting injured, taking into account that an injury might disrupt future plans. Azzedine Ounahi, Viktor Tsygankov, Àlex Moreno, Vladyslav Vanat or Arnau Martínez have a higher profile than that of the Second Division, but no one is yet paying what Girona intends to charge to let them go. Then there are the enigmatic cases of Abel Ruiz, Van de Beek or Asprilla, signed in the Champions League year, and it is not known where they will end up.

Reinforcements are also lacking in many positions, both in quantity and quality. Almost no line is saved from deficiencies; particularly alarming are the goalkeeping, defense, and attacking frontline. And, meanwhile, the rivals are moving. But Girona is not, and this can be costly. Fortunately, it will always have Stuani.