Logic says that Girona has a hard time beating Eibar in Ipurua this evening (6.30pm / #Vamos), but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. After the defeat by the minimum in the first leg in Montilivi (0-1), those of Míchel Sánchez are obliged to score at least two goals to advance to the final of the play-off for promotion to the First Division – as long as the Basques do not see goal. It would even be useful for them to score one during the 90 minutes of the match and the other in extra time because they would have equalized the tie and then they would have up to 120 to look for the comeback. “We just have to win,” repeated the coach, convinced that he had succeeded. This is a feat that, given that last Thursday the Girona fell despite playing the entire second half with one more man by the expulsion of Alvaro Tejero and have the support of almost 9,500 fans at the stadium, it will be difficult to achieve. So there is nothing to lose but a lot to gain. That’s why the coach asked his players to “get rid” of the pressure to carry out the game plan, understanding that, eleven months after his arrival, the lesson is more than learned. It must now be applied with all the “soul” and “passion” of the world. You have to notice the “energy” to take a step forward in the last meters with the intention of disturbing the goal of Ander Cantero. No matter how hard Gaizka Garitano tries to defend himself.
Unlike the last trip to Burgos where Michel cited the entire team, including the injured, to tie participation in the play-offs, this time not everyone has traveled to Eibar. The coach made a list of those called up with 22 players in which David Juncà and Borja García returned. Riumors and the Madrid midfielder are available, although it could be that the coach does not make them start because they return after overcoming their respective injuries.
In this sense, Michel could make some changes to the starting eleven. Goalkeeper Juan Carlos Martín will not move under the posts, nor will central defenders Santi Bueno, Bernardo Espinosa and Juanpe Ramírez. Arnau Martínez will also remain in the right lane, while on the left Valery Fernández may reappear to the detriment of Jairo Izquierdo. The midfield will be led by Aleix Garcia and Pol Lozano. And in attack we will have to see if Michel continues to bet on Samu Saiz or reward the good minutes of the other day of Pablo Moreno along with Alex Baena and Cristhian Stuani.
Girona will have the support of a good handful of fans in Ipurua. A total of 159 people bought the tickets available to the club in the visiting area and a bus has been arranged, apart from all the people who will go there on their own, taking advantage of the fact that tomorrow is a public holiday. It should be noted that only 51 fans of the Basque team went against Eibar to Montilivi.
For their part, Garitano’s team is facing a high morale following the victory in Montilivi, which allowed them to forget the beating they took from Alcorcón and which left them without direct promotion. The Basques will be suspended due to Tejero’s sanction, which in Girona caused them significant physical wear and tear due to facing 45 minutes with one man less. Everyone is waiting to see if Stoichkov, his top scorer, plays today.
