Couto returns “home” and David López already knows he will be central

The good first experience of Couto a Montilivi now two years ago (2020-21 academic year) he made Girona try to recover him last academic year. It was not possible because the team was a second and the Brazilian, had better proposals from teams that played in Europa. In the end he ended up on loan to Braga where he has offered a remarkable performance. This summer, offers have rained down on him again, but he has opted for Girona because it is his home. “The City he said he would help me choose. Girona is my home and I’m already adapted to it. It was the best option, especially in the League. I’m coming home”, he said. In this sense, Couto acknowledged that the experience in Braga had been very useful for him to “grow and mature as a player and person” and he also acknowledged that he was very happy about Girona’s promotion against the Tenerife. “He was just another follower.”

As for the role he will play this season, Couto is not afraid of the competition with Arnau Martinez. In fact, against Andorra, Míchel already delayed the Maresmenc to the central position in the second half coinciding with Couto’s entry into the field. “Arnau and I are friends. If we are both good, we can play together. We had already done it two years ago and we can do it again. It will be up to the master,” he said. With Míchel, he hasn’t spoken much yet. “He told me before the match against Andorra that it was natural and that he would pick up concepts over time.”

From what has been seen in the pre-season and from how the planning is going, it seems that Girona will start with the same tactical scheme as last season (5-3-2). In this sense, and with Bernardo with a massaged knee, everything seems to indicate that David López will play an important role. The Valaisian admitted yesterday that since he arrived he has been training in the free position. “Now I work with the defense of three centrals. In the center of the defense and I feel comfortable. The master has told me that he intends to change the structure depending on the party. I will do my bit whenever I can”, he said. The former Espanyol captain explained during his presentation as a Girona player that he stopped negotiations with other clubs (Getafe) when he received the call from Cárcel and Míchel. “I liked the interest and the project. We immediately agreed. I was also called by Mr. It’s all those things that you don’t know why, but you feel that they have to be taken.”

As for the controversy with Stuani over the fouls in the derbies in Cornellà (17-18 and 18-19) that ended with the Valaisan with a broken nose, López closed the matter and revealed that they had already discussed the theme in the last Girona-Espanyol in Montilivi. “The first day I arrived we talked about it again. We are two adults, professionals. We row in the same direction and have no problem. We are two profiles of players with character, competitive and that’s all there is in football. We have turned the page and have a very good relationship. I have regained his respect, yes. If we look at the newspaper library, we would all change something. I admire him for his entire career and what he has achieved, especially at Girona».