Girona Secures Vital Win as They Edge Away from Relegation Zone

Girona FC achieved a crucial victory, placing them temporarily outside the direct relegation zone after several challenging weeks. Under the management of Míchel, the team has successfully focused on strengthening their home performance, accumulating the majority of their 10 points at Montilivi, which has provided a much-needed boost.

In their last three home matches, Girona has garnered 7 points from a possible 9. They made a strong start against Valencia, winning 2-1 just before the recent international break. Following this, Girona showcased their resilience in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Oviedo, where they overturned a 0-2 deficit, thanks to a brace from Stuani on penalties and a goal from Ounahi. However, they heartbreakingly conceded a late equalizer in the 97th minute, dropping two vital points in their battle against relegation.

Before this recent unbeaten streak at home, Girona faced a series of setbacks, suffering consecutive defeats to Rayo (1-3), Sevilla (0-2), and Levante (0-4), alongside a goalless draw against Espanyol.

Despite a challenging start with only 1 point from their first 9 after their initial victory, Míchel emphasized the upward trajectory of his squad. Following his call for a change in mentality, the team secured their second win of the season against Alavés, marking their second clean sheet, all occurring just before another international break. With newfound confidence, the Vallecas coach can continue to refine his strategies and systems, pending results from teams positioned just below them.

In the lead-up to the match, Míchel had invoked a sense of belonging and called for a shift in the team’s mentality. He made only one change to the starting lineup that competed at the Coliseum against Getafe. Joel Roca, a standout performer at the start of the season, was replaced by Bryan Gil on the right wing. Gil, expected to play a pivotal role with his work rate and depth, aided Àlex Moreno defensively and actively engaged in attacking play, showcasing successful dribbles and some threatening shots. He received applause from the fans when Míchel substituted him for Joel Roca.