Paulo Gazzaniga sustained only a gluteal muscle overload during Girona’s recent away draw against Tenerife, with club staff treating his half-time substitution as a purely precautionary measure.
Gazzaniga Substitution at Heliodoro Rodríguez López Driven by Discomfort
Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga sparked concern among traveling supporters during Monday’s 1-1 Segunda División draw at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium when he failed to reappear for the second half. The Argentine netminder was replaced at the interval by Vladyslav Krapyvtsov after reporting discomfort in his glute. Club medical staff evaluated the situation and determined the change was made out of caution rather than a structural tear, with initial assessments pointing strictly to a muscle overload.
Quique Álvarez Outlines Precautionary Half-Time Change
Girona manager Quique Álvarez addressed the goalkeeper’s physical condition in his post-match press conference, clarifying that the discomfort had surfaced intermittently during training sessions over the preceding week. Són unes molèsties que ha tingut durant la setmana, però el dia abans va entrenar bé i no va tenir problemes
, Álvarez explained regarding the player’s buildup to the fixture. The coach noted that the goalkeeper experienced recurring tightness with every movement on the pitch, prompting the technical staff to make an early substitution rather than risk exhausting a mid-game substitution window later in the contest.
Medical Evaluation Scheduled Ahead of Andorra Fixture at Montilivi
The medical team planned to assess the goalkeeper further during subsequent training sessions at the club’s facilities to determine whether diagnostic imaging is necessary. Despite the discomfort, the technical staff anticipates having the Argentine available for selection when Girona hosts FC Andorra at Estadi Montilivi on Sunday at 18:30 local time (17:30 UTC). Meanwhile, squad depth continues to improve as veterans like Cristhian Stuani and Jastin work their way back to full fitness, having already returned to light training on the grass.
Strong Form Prior to the Tenerife Scare
The fitness scare arrived during a strong run of form for the goalkeeper. After a challenging start to the league campaign that brought scrutiny to the defensive line, Gazzaniga secured the starting role with a string of performances that anchored Girona’s recent defensive stability. The 32-year-old recorded three consecutive clean sheets against Sporting de Gijón, Albacete, and Mallorca, stringing together 248 minutes without conceding a goal. That stretch matched half of his total clean-sheet output from the entire previous season, earning him selection in the Lliga Hypermotion team of the week for matchdays four through seven.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gazzaniga’s Status
Will Paulo Gazzaniga miss Girona’s next match against Andorra?
As of the post-match updates from manager Quique Álvarez, the technical staff counts on Gazzaniga being available for Sunday’s fixture at Montilivi, pending final clearance from the medical staff following tests on his gluteal overload.
Who replaced Gazzaniga during the match against Tenerife?
Ukrainian goalkeeper Vladyslav Krapyvtsov took over in goal at the start of the second half after Gazzaniga was withdrawn as a precaution at the interval.
What other injury updates did Girona provide ahead of the Tenerife fixture?
Manager Quique Álvarez confirmed before the Monday night match that both Cristhian Stuani and Jastin were progressing well in their recoveries, having already resumed on-field training drills.
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