For Marc Fuentes, a defender for UE Olot, this Sunday’s derby against Girona B at 16:00 local time (UTC+1) in Vidreres carries significance beyond the standard rivalry. It marks a return to the pitch against his former club, the side where he played during the 2022-23 season, at a moment he describes as the happiest of his professional career.
Fuentes, born in Badalona in 2002, is currently re-establishing himself in Roger Vidal’s defensive line after a year-long recovery from a serious injury to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
“For a month now I have been super happy; my family knows it,” Fuentes said regarding his recent return. After missing the opening two rounds of the current season, he made his first appearance in a 1-2 loss against Utebo. Since then, his role has grown, culminating in starts over the last five matches, including playing the full 90 minutes in each of the last three.
A recovery plan focused on consistency
The path back to the starting XI has been managed with caution to monitor his knee’s response to the demands of Segunda RFEF. Fuentes admits that while he is not yet at 100 percent, he feels improvement each week. The team structure is designed to help him reach peak physical condition by match day, though he notes that some days involve more discomfort than others.
🗂️ 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 #GironaBOlot al camp del @GFCAcademia: 6️⃣ victòries 1️⃣ empat 3️⃣ derrotes 👉 Última visita, temporada 2025-26 a #2RFEF3: ❌ @GFCAcademia 4-1 #UEOlot ⚽ Martí Soler #ElClubCatalàDeVeritat #2RFEF2 pic.twitter.com/qBrbxRRCmz
“I love playing football. I’ve done it since I was little and it’s what makes me happy,” Fuentes said. “I’ve had a shitty year with very hard moments, but there have also been good ones.”
Contract renewal provided stability during rehabilitation
One of those positive moments was a contract renewal. Just one month after his injury, and before he underwent surgery, UE Olot offered Fuentes a deal extending until June 30, 2027.
“The renewal gave me a lot of peace of mind. I knew they were waiting for me and that when I returned from the injury I had a place to play,” Fuentes explained. He noted that players returning from long-term absences often face uncertainty regarding their future, but the club’s commitment ensured he remained part of the squad’s long-term plans.
Stakes in the Girona B match
The upcoming match in Vidreres is a contest between two sides separated by only two points in the standings. UE Olot currently sits in third place with 18 points, while Girona B, managed by Ángel Donato, holds sixth place with 16 points. Fuentes emphasized that the match carries “extra motivation” not only because of his history with the club but because of the immediate implications for the table.
“It is important to win to increase the point advantage we have over them and continue in the upper part of the classification,” he said. He cautioned that the division is highly competitive, noting that a short streak of poor results can quickly shift a team from playoff contention toward the relegation zone.
Defensive discipline driving Olot’s momentum
Olot’s recent form has been anchored by a solid defensive effort, including back-to-back victories against league leaders Barça Atlètic (2-0) and Manresa (1-0). The team has kept a clean sheet in three of their last matches, a trend Fuentes attributes to a collective effort starting from the forwards.
“The clean sheets are the work of the whole team, from the strikers to the goalkeeper,” he said. “In this category, there are many times that the results are tight, and keeping a clean sheet means that if you have a little luck and put one in, you take the three points.”
While the team initially struggled at home, they have remained undefeated in away matches so far this season. Fuentes and his teammates will look to extend that run against a Girona B side that has been prolific at home, having scored three goals in each of their other home matches this season, with the exception of a 1-2 loss to Espanyol B.
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