Girona's unanswered questions before the start of the League
The Girona team opens the championship against Rayo Vallecano in Montilivi with many open fronts and without Stuani
GironaLa Liga kicks off this Friday with Girona-Rayo Vallecano at Montilivi (7 p.m., Movistar LaLiga). Míchel's team heads into the season with many challenges ahead and a host of enigmas to resolve, both sportingly and socially. Why haven't they invested a single euro in signings? How many players are still waiting to arrive? And what about the departures? Why hasn't the major sale they need yet taken place? Will the team be able to compete consistently, unlike last year? And is anything known about the new stadium project? These are unanswered questions with just a few hours left until the ball rolls again in official competition and the transfer window closing in just over two weeks.
For now, what's known is that Girona have added four new players (Hugo Rincón, Thomas Lemar, Vitor Reis—all three on loan—and Axel Witsel (on a free transfer), but the squad remains weak. The coach himself has stated that at least a full-back, a midfielder, and a forward should arrive. The Champions League still affects Girona's planning, with a squad brimming with high salaries, but no longer the income that comes with being in Europe. Míchel puts on a brave face, doesn't complain publicly, and even took advantage of the friendlies, in which the team generally presented a decent tone. But the moment of truth begins now. "I need you as people," he told his players, gathering them in a circle during training before the match. This is the Madrid native's fifth year in charge and the club's sixth in the top flight.
Stuani is out due to a personal issue.
It seemed as though the economy would breathe a little with the sale of Miguel Gutiérrez to Napoli, valued at another €18 million in variables and to be shared with Real Madrid. Italy has reconsidered and halted the deal when everything was practically agreed upon. This doesn't mean it won't happen, just that we'll have to wait a bit and hope it doesn't completely fall through, but it means he'll lose time at Girona, which is slipping through his fingers. Because the sporting director, Quique Cárcel, doesn't have time to spare, and above all, he must get the attacking reference right, currently led, for another year, by Stuani and Portu. However, the Uruguayan will be out for the opening match due to a personal issue. Abel Ruiz, injured, and Miovski, for whom a buyer is urgently being sought, aren't sufficient guarantees if the goal is to avoid suffering.
As for names, the offices continue to work on the priorities of Àlex Moreno (Aston Villa) at full-back, and Claudio Echeverri (Manchester City) as a differential in the midfield. These are the two pieces that generate a clear consensus, although they are complicated operations. No one can put their hand in the fire for them to move, nor is there a clear resolution regarding who else will leave the group. In addition to Miguel and Miovski, Jhon Solís could be added, but, depending on the economic urgency and what may happen with the Madrid full-back, discussions will have to be held with the futures of Arnau Martínez and Francés. The Maresme native is well-known and has received offers, while the Aragonese could go out on loan. Everything will depend on the urgency. Regarding Tsygankov and Yangel, regarding whom there was speculation that a deal could be made, internal sources at the club assume they will continue.
Sidral with the League
Even the match time is controversial. Initially scheduled for 7:00 PM, Girona has asked La Liga to postpone the match a couple of times. The initial response was negative, but as forecasts point to temperatures above 35 degrees and extremely high humidity, the red-and-white club has insisted, so far without a response, and fearing problems like the one in last season's final match against Atlético de Madrid, which ended at 2:00 PM. The Liga has moved the Alavés-Levante match on Saturday from 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM. "For everyone's health, it would be best if they changed it. But we'll do whatever they tell us," explains Míchel.
Girona has shortcomings in Montilivi that have not yet been corrected, and for now, future plans remain on hold while experts carry out their studies. The fans wait, patiently (fewer and fewer), but eager to party. This summer, the season ticket holders reached a record of 9,800 and a sold-out for the debut against Rayo. The excitement remains intact.