The Ongoing Goalkeeping Crisis at Girona FC

The 2025-26 season for Girona FC has been marked by constant instability in the goalkeeping position. A series of role changes, open conflicts, failed signings, and untimely injuries have turned the red and white goal into a significant source of drama, both on the field and in management. Paradoxically, months into the season, the club finds itself relying again on the same goalkeepers it started with, albeit with much more accumulated wear and tear.

In just a few months, the club has experienced nearly every conceivable scenario: a star signing that fails to establish itself, an exciting loan deal that collapses due to injury, a starting goalkeeper facing scrutiny but supported by the coach, and a young keeper thrust into a role for which he was not originally intended. The outcome is a goalkeeping situation in a state of perpetual reconstruction, coinciding with a season in which Girona has faced relegation struggles, culminating in the latest chapter during a period of improved team performance.

Initially, the roadmap seemed straightforward. Girona aimed to elevate their goalkeeping standards by signing Dominik Livakovic, a Croatian international, in the final days of the summer transfer window to compete with Paulo Gazzaniga. This move was necessitated by the injury to Juan Carlos Martín and the disappointing performances of both Gazzaniga and the young Krapyvtsov.

However, this plan unraveled quickly. The so-called ‘Livakovic case’ ended with a complete breakdown in the relationship between the goalkeeper and the coaching staff, as publicly articulated by Míchel. The situation culminated in Livakovic’s departure, which had minimal competitive impact but created significant noise. Míchel expressed his frustration, revealing that Livakovic had repeatedly indicated his unwillingness to play, even refusing to participate while ill. Consequently, Míchel ceased counting on him and openly defended Gazzaniga, whom he believes has been unfairly critiqued in light of Livakovic’s anticipated role.

With Livakovic no longer in the picture, Gazzaniga was forced to reclaim the starting position. The Argentine, who has been with the club for several seasons, demonstrated his capability with impressive statistics—nearly twenty league matches and over fifty saves. However, the context of the team’s struggles amplified every mistake he made, making each conceded goal a reinforcement of ongoing insecurity. Míchel stood by him for his leadership and commitment, yet external doubts lingered regarding his ability to stabilize the team.

Despite the pressure, Gazzaniga has proven himself in critical situations, particularly when he became the only available goalkeeper. Midway through November, Vladyslav Krapyvtsov, the 20-year-old Ukrainian keeper initially envisioned as a future prospect, suffered an ankle sprain while playing for Ukraine’s U21 team. This injury sidelined him for four to six weeks, leaving the Catalan side relying solely on Gazzaniga and Dominik Livakovic—an ironic twist given the complications surrounding Livakovic’s performance and attitude.

In the midst of this turmoil, Girona sought a temporary solution by loaning Marc-André ter Stegen. The arrival of the German goalkeeper initially generated excitement due to his stature, leadership, and ball-handling skills. Míchel welcomed him as a star player, stating, “You are a leader; you will bring us a lot.” However, Ter Stegen’s registration, with an unusual jersey number (22), symbolized the overcrowded goalkeeping situation within the squad.

His debut was promising, showcasing a significant upgrade in the goalkeeping hierarchy: leadership, ball distribution, and authority in the box. It seemed like the beginning of a solution, but history repeated itself too quickly—injuries once again cut his tenure short, casting doubt on the viability of the loan.

This setback necessitated yet another reorganization. Roles were altered, plans disrupted, and a lingering sense of impermanence persisted within the team. Just when it appeared that the goalkeeping situation was stabilizing, the plan collapsed again, forcing the club to revert to its initial summer strategy.

With Livakovic gone and Ter Stegen injured, Girona returned to square one. Vladyslav Krapyvtsov was promoted to serve as the direct backup to Gazzaniga, thrust into an accelerated role due to necessity rather than confidence, while the reserve goalkeepers remained as a safety net. This situation is essentially a return to the starting point, albeit with greater wear and considerably less margin for error.

The overall assessment leaves an uncomfortable residue. Girona has invested significant resources into what is arguably the most sensitive position on the team, only to find themselves depending once again on a goalkeeper they already had and a young player still in development. The management of egos concerning Livakovic has reinforced Míchel’s internal commitment narrative but has also exposed the club. In terms of competitiveness, the insecurity felt in goal has permeated the team as a whole, fostering a narrative of perpetual doubt.

Thus, the drama surrounding Girona’s goalkeeping dilemma continues—marked by high-profile signings, ongoing conflicts, unforeseen injuries, and a persistent feeling of improvisation in the team’s most critical position. This issue remains unresolved as they head into the most crucial phase of the season.