Girona Secures Goalkeeper Rubén Blanco to Strengthen Squad

omidbasir- Girona has opted for a straightforward solution to enhance its squad by acquiring goalkeeper Rubén Blanco, who became a free agent after terminating his contract with Olympique de Marseille last January. This move addresses a significant gap in the team following the serious injury of Marc-André Ter Stegen, their star winter signing who has only played two matches under coach Míchel after being loaned from Barcelona.

Currently, the Vallecas coach only had two keepers available for the first team: Gazzaniga, who is anticipated to remain the primary option, and Krapyvtsov, who lacks experience and potential for immediate improvement. Additionally, the first-team goalkeeper from the reserve squad, Sergi Puig, cannot be promoted due to age restrictions. Given Girona’s precarious position in the league table and the risk of injuries or suspensions to their limited goalkeeper roster, the sports management found some flexibility within the budget and salary cap to bring in the former Marseille player, who developed at Celta.

The 30-year-old from Mos has spent most of his career with Celta before being loaned to Marseille in 2022, a club that subsequently purchased him for €1.5 million a year later. However, due to injuries, Blanco has had a limited role in France, featuring in only 12 matches over three and a half seasons.

In an official statement, Girona emphasized Blanco’s strengths, noting his “security between the posts, excellent reflexes in close-range situations, and effective management of the penalty area, both during set pieces and from crosses.”

The club further highlighted that his experience in high-pressure competitive environments, leadership qualities in the defensive line, and tactical maturity make him a valuable asset for the crucial phase of the season.

Meanwhile, Gazzaniga received his fourth yellow card of the season during the match against Sevilla, putting him on the brink of suspension. In addition to a direct red card received in the opening match of the season against Rayo, he has accumulated several yellow cards for various infractions, including arguing with an opponent during a match against Betis, protesting during a game against Real Madrid, and time-wasting in matches against Espanyol and Sevilla. His conduct has raised concerns, especially following an incident where he faced hostile fans after a goal celebration.