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COLUMN: From Champions League to relegation? Why Girona are immediately in a battle for La Liga survival

It was not way back that Girona turned La Liga’s newest sensation, taking Spain by storm as they regarded set to battle for the title. Though critics have argued that Girona’s success shouldn’t be as spectacular as different fairytale tales, pertaining as they do the CFG (Metropolis Soccer Group), there was little doubt amongst La Liga’s fanbase that Artem Dovbyk, ‘Savinho’ and Viktor Tsygankov impressed masses. Though Girona couldn’t fairly sustain with Actual Madrid, Michel Sanchez’s workforce ended up qualifying for the Champions League, a primary within the membership’s historical past, and forward of Atletico Madrid at that. The Spaniard has put in his identify within the membership’s historical past.

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Like most small groups making the massive step, Girona struggled to deal with the strain that got here with the brand new standing. A number of vital stars left, akin to Artem Dovbyk (AS Roma), Savinho (Manchester Metropolis), and Aleix Garcia (Bayer Leverkusen). Then again, sure loans couldn’t be signed completely, as was the case of Eric Garcia (Barcelona).

The consequence? Girona discover themselves sixteenth out of 20, claiming just one victory within the final 13 matches. That is the – and put up an honest battle. But solely three factors separate Girona from relegation, which raises the query: what occurred ? 

Photograph by Girona FC

It’s one factor to lose key gamers. There isn’t any doubt that Aleix Garcia’s brilliance is exclusive, who has since continued to shine with Bayer Leverkusen. The Spaniard has earned himself common worldwide call-ups below Luis de La Fuente with La Roja, demonstrating he’s greater than only a breakout participant. As the first playmaker for the workforce final 12 months, discovering a substitute was greater than troublesome. One can argue that Yangel Herrera and Oriol Romeu have their qualities, although that’s changing one participant with two. No person would blame Girona for not discovering one other Aleix Garcia.

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The issue shouldn’t be shedding key gamers. Dovbyk turned probably the most prolific goal-scorer within the league, and Savinho among the finest dribblers in Europe. The, by way of profiles and high quality. Dovbyk, a cornerstone of Michel’s venture, was changed by Abel Ruiz. One factor Dovbyk stood out for, greater than scoring objectives, was his bodily dominance. It made it a key side of Michel’s Girona, with Dovbyk profitable his duels within the field. A lone striker is smart as such, the place there’s a fixed risk within the field.

Ruiz is nowhere close to Dovbyk, in high quality or in profile. With none supposed disrespect, Ruiz doesn’t dominate the penalty field. A shy striker who struggled to make the change from academy to skilled soccer in Barcelona, he spent a time with Braga earlier than returning to Spain for €9m this summer time. As a consequence, Girona’s legendary Cristhian Stuani has performed increasingly more typically, regardless of dangerously edging 40 years outdated. Stuani has distinguished himself within the final years as a super-substitutes, his legs not permitting him to run as a lot as he’d like. It was sure to be a catastrophe if he have been to finish up because the starter, and with Bojan Miovski proving no extra scientific nor dominat within the field, Stuani typically seems to be their largest risk. 

To lose one striker is one factor. To lose one other winger and fail to switch him as effectively is a dying want for what was a flowing assault. That is the place Girona is available in: few of the signings carried out because the anticipated stage. The membership signed Arnaut Danjuma on mortgage and Yaser Asprilla for a membership report €18m, within the hopes of bolstering the squad. Though not catastrophic, it’s honest to say each gamers have been a tough go, or extra typically, missing one.

Picture through Pere Puntí / Propias

Girona was as soon as recognized to be the workforce to finish comeback after comeback, as Michel embraces an attacking philosophy. He was a risk-taker, the place Girona conceded objectives however scored extra. This was doable due to the standard up entrance. All of that is gone, unrecognisable, right down to naive transfers. Out of a dozen signings, solely defender Ladislav Krejci might be thought-about a hit. A conventional defender, he has been one of many few positives of the season. {That a} defender turns into an important participant at Girona below Michel says loads.

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The opposite concern that plagued Girona is typical of upcoming groups: a squad that isn’t able to compete in a number of competitions. Firstly of the season, Girona’s Champions League qualification meant that Michel needed to juggle between the Champions League and La Liga. The squad was not prepared, along with a brand new squad given the essential exits up entrance. An absence of depth led to the inevitable: an harm disaster, bringing workforce morale down as they suffered defeat after defeat.

It was beforehand talked about that Girona was recognized to be a risk-taking workforce, able to cost up entrance in opposition to any workforce, irrespective of if Actual Madrid or Osasuna. As a result of accidents and the dearth of outcomes, this self-belief has vanished. It turned evident in . The sense that Girona may beat anybody is gone, and was an enormous a part of Michel’s philosophy, and with out it, the danger seems to be a lot much less wise.

Past signings, Michel’s footprint appears to have evaporated in Catalunya’s winds. A workforce as soon as feared for incessantly charging at their opponents like Sparta did within the outdated instances, is now terrified of advancing, now dominated by paranoia. Girona have been warned: the dream season is on the verge of turning right into a nightmare.