Spar Girona head coach Roberto Íñiguez faces an uphill battle ahead of his team's upcoming clash against Azulmarino as he manages a mounting injury crisis, early-season European elimination, and a tough opening loss in the domestic league, diaridegirona.cat reported.
Facing Azulmarino After Early Season Setbacks
Spar Girona enters tomorrow’s 8:00 PM local time (20:00 UTC+2) matchup at home under mounting pressure following a difficult start to the campaign. The Catalan side was recently eliminated in the EuroLeague qualifiers and dropped its Liga Femenina opener 81-78 away against Estudiantes. Speaking to reporters, Íñiguez emphasized resilience as the only way forward for a squad still trying to find its footing.
“You fall and you get back up. The path is to work, insist, and persevere,” Íñiguez said, framing the early struggles as an opportunity for collective growth. “Well-understood adversity can make you grow and can lead you to very cool objectives. We must use this adversity to grow.”
Challenging the Label Placed on Azulmarino
Addressing tomorrow’s opponent, Íñiguez pushed back against the narrative that Azulmarino qualifies as a surprise package this season. Pointing to the roster construction of the visiting side, the coach argued that expectations should match reality given their player acquisition power.
“If they have one of the best rosters and an incredible roster, why do you call them a revelation? A revelation is a team that no one expects to be at the top,” Íñiguez stated. He specifically highlighted former Girona player Klara Holm, who departed the club after two seasons following a lucrative offer elsewhere. “She had a very important offer and went there. We couldn’t even get close to it.”
Injuries to Quevedo and Merceron Hinder Rotation
Compounding the tactical challenge, Spar Girona is dealing with significant physical setbacks within its rotation. Forward Laura Quevedo has been ruled out for at least a month due to plantar fasciitis accompanied by bone edema. “She has played with pain, and after the last MRI, we saw that she could not continue like this. Treatment is needed and impacts must be stopped,” Íñiguez explained.
Meanwhile, Merceron is not expected to resume moderate-impact training until the November international break, provided her recovery goes to plan. Marta García is also playing through discomfort carried over from her time with the national team, leaving the roster stretched thin. Despite the lack of depth, Íñiguez praised the daily commitment of his available players, while noting that the club remains unbalanced between its interior and exterior game.
Praise for Young Talent Amid Roster Construction
Amid the turbulence, newcomer Iyana Martín has emerged as a bright spot for the coaching staff. Íñiguez lauded the guard’s capacity to absorb tactical instruction instantly, describing her approach as that of a sponge. “Any correction she takes and applies,” he said, emphasizing her desire to learn and improve.
When questioned about potential roster reinforcements during the transfer market window, Íñiguez redirected the query to sporting director Pere Puig, choosing instead to focus his energy on reviewing tactical execution with his current group. “Every night I go to sleep knowing that I have done the maximum I can give to help the club and the team. That is the commitment,” Íñiguez concluded.
