The last day was very favorable to the interests of Girona. From third to eighth place only those of Pep Lluís Martí won. The victory, apart from serving to consolidate the team at the top, should be an injection of morale for some players who needed to meet again which means adding three more points.
The best medicine arrives. The white-and-reds needed to break the negative dynamics of results and on Wednesday against Numancia they got it and in the best possible way. In the first attack action and just starting the match Samu Sáiz scored the first goal postconfinament for the people of Girona. A very important and decisive goal in the final outcome of a match that should serve to print an injection of morale to the whole team. The defeat of Elche was hard, it came at a delicate and important moment in this stretch back to the competition. In Valencia, Girona showed that they were on the road to recovery but a serious mistake in the defensive retreat paid dearly. The team reacted showing desire and ambition to at least get some positive points from Martínez Valero but between Edgar Badia and the crossbar the points flew. Winning builds confidence and means a significant dose of energy for players who have the goal set from the start of the championship: to achieve the desired promotion.
The best versions of Samu and Borja. The match against Numancia can be the starting point to face a championship final with guarantees. Apart from the three points the match also served to see a very positive version of two players called to make a difference on the grass. In the middle of the field and on the wings, the position of the players in the creation area greatly improved the team’s offensive performance. Samu Sáiz participated a lot in the game occupying the left side at the beginning to be able to look for the inner corridors. The changed leg position made it easier for him to shoot at the goal play while he could drive inwards with his good leg. Besides, the space created by the attacker was used by Braian Olivan who could progress in a band where there were numerical superiorities. On the axis of the attack Borja García and Àlex Granell connected more than usual, freed from defensive tasks in some situations. Christian Rivera was in charge of the covers, lavished on passes and shots from outside the area. The Madrid man shines brighter when he can appear between the lines. He was on the back of the midfield and had options to face the visiting central defenders. Borja tried to filter three passes of merit to Stuani, the last one served so that the Uruguayan sentenced the match obtaining the second goal. When quality footballers take part in the game, the team benefits greatly and increases their level a lot. In some phases of the season it gave the feeling that Borja García and Samu Sáiz were incompatible within the same eleven but last Wednesday it was proven that when they match they can make a difference.
Stuani finds the goal. Forwards live off the goal, especially the confidence that comes from the fact that they know they can score at any time. Stuani, the footballer who lives closest to the rival area, needed to score as soon as possible in order to regain the goal-scoring sense of smell and reconnect with the positive feelings. Girona has the best striker in the category and of course it depends a lot on their performance. That the Uruguayan does not lose his goal-scoring ability is essential to be able to face the remaining league matches. A traffic jam now in this sense would have been an added problem for a Girona that can not be stopped. Stuani has a goal and has always shown his strength in front of the rival goal. The striker’s goals are the strength of the team.
The defense also adds up. Although until the fourth game since the resumption of the League Girona did not get the victory it is necessary to emphasize the good defensive work of the equipment. A single goal against, although it was a hard defeat in Elche, is a good balance for a team that has left the goal to zero in three games. Asier Riesgo is consolidating as a starting goalkeeper and the Juanpe-Ignasi Miquel pair has played every minute since the resumption of the championship. Of particular note is the defensive level of Ignasi Miquel. The center has returned to a good level of form, focused on scoring, accurate in anticipation and strong in split plays. To add points and especially to be able to compete at the highest level in a possible promotion you have to defend well. The teams that concede few goals are the specialists in qualifying and in this sense if Girona maintains this attitude it can benefit greatly. Now Malaga and Zaragoza are waiting in a League that does not stop, as the championship progresses the results will be more and more decisive and the match of La Rosaleda must serve to maintain a good line of results and game.
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