Girona manager Quique Álvarez has warned his side against complacency ahead of their Saturday fixture against Real Sociedad B, stressing that their current unbeaten run can vanish quickly if standards drop. Girona enters the weekend fixture sitting high in the standings after collecting four wins and two draws across their last six outings, suffering just a single defeat in their previous nine matches.
Extending the Unbeaten Run on Saturday
The visitors aim to secure their third victory following recent wins, including a lopsided victory over Celta Fortuna. Álvarez emphasized that past results guarantee nothing in a competitive division.
“It is important to stretch the positive streak as much as possible,” Álvarez said. “We have to keep the right mentality at the top; we cannot think that just because we have done what we have done, we will continue doing it. Dynamics change quickly.”
The visiting side currently shares the honor of being the category’s joint-highest scoring team alongside Castelló and Almeria, having netted 22 goals so far. Álvarez’s squad has excelled on the road, losing only once away from home—a defeat at Córdoba back in August during a period of crisis due to the transfer market.
Navigating Physical Demands and Kickoff Times
Saturday’s early afternoon slot introduces a new variable for the squad. Álvarez noted that the 14:00 kickoff time is a first for his players this season and something they will need to adapt to quickly against a physically imposing opponent.
9️⃣ anys d’aquella victòria inoblidable davant el Real Madrid per Sant Narcís#laligahighlights pic.twitter.com/r3CjeLu1YG
“Real Sociedad haven’t deserved to lose many of the matches they have lost, and we think we will encounter a very difficult rival,” Álvarez said. “It is a team with a lot of speed, and it will be the first match we play at 14:00 hours, something we might notice.”
Real Sociedad B enters the fixture mired in a difficult stretch, occupying the relegation places in the table with six consecutive defeats and zero home victories this campaign. Despite that run, Álvarez dismissed the league table standings as a reliable indicator of the challenge ahead.
“I insist a lot on the rival, who has put teams in the upper zone in difficulties,” Álvarez added. “It is true that they also suffer in some aspects, but they possess a lot of physicality and are very vertical. All these factors make my alarm bells ring.”
Tactical analysis published this week by Girona Media highlighted a noticeable split in Girona’s performance across halves. According to those reports, the team would sit first in the table with 24 points based exclusively on first-half results, but would drop to ninth with 15 points if matches ended after the opening 45 minutes. Álvarez pointed to early-season physical shortcomings stemming from a suboptimal pre-season as the root cause of the drop-offs, noting that recent training adjustments and effective substitutes have helped steady the team late in matches.
Squad Rotation and Standout Performers
While multi-goal outings from players like Vanat and Unai Hernández have dominated recent headlines, Álvarez took time to praise the under-the-radar contribution of Mate Morey.
“I had him when he was little, I already knew him,” Álvarez said of Morey. “He has a good mentality, he has always been very competitive and has had a very big team spirit. He gives us a lot. He hasn’t played continuously in recent years, and he needs a process, but it is being seen that he contributes. The pity is that Boñar would give us rotation and is out, but Mate is a team player and makes his teammates better. Hopefully more people like him.”
For Saturday’s roster, Girona will recover Mumin and Asprilla, and Álvarez believes Jastin, who has spent several weeks recovering from an injury layoff, will also be available. Álvarez also acknowledged the traveling supporters from Jovent Gironí who made the trip to Cuarte and plan to back the team in San Sebastián.
“It surprised me to see them, they made themselves heard a lot and it is to be appreciated that they come,” Álvarez said. “It is a pride that they are there and we will try to give them the joy of victory.”
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