Two teams that, after surprisingly falling in the Cup, welcome 2025 onto the playing fields with disparate needs. Coudetwho does not know victory as a babazorro coach, knows that Mendizorroza dresses up for an afternoon where the three points serve as a catapult. Because the stain of a victory in the last twelve matches garter belts are excessively heavy. Although for weight, the one who has to remove the Girona. Aware that last season’s milestone will not return, Míchel continues insisting on Europe. And with rest in their legs, grateful for some players who have competed non-stop since September, the white and red want to catch their breath in the month that marks the trend for the teams.
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And for this, Míchel’s DNA calls for rock and roll. Something that was seen as soon as the ball rolled, with a lightning attack play led by Miguel Gutiérrez. The all-purpose boy of the Madrid coach. And Alavés was forced to accept the frenetic dance, although Coudet’s gestures indicated total disagreement. Because in 10 minutes, the suffocating pressure forced Owono to bail out water with clearances. And, later, in the area before the centers full of danger. Jordán and Blanco, keys in babazorro control, were beginning to despair. Because Alavés’ only chance was in spaces.
The disadvantage of proposing a frenetic pace is the inability to endure it. And halfway through the first half, both Girona and Alavés were forced to think before acting. Moment of the midfielders, where Coudet saw that something was not going well. Especially with Jordán, more missing than usual. With Guevara in the warm-up zone it was confirmed that something was happening. But Carlos Martín had to break in a counterattack so that Joan also went to the ground. Alavés, forced to make a double change: Conechny and Guevara. But, as if that were not enough, Míchel was not going to be immune to these problems.
Because, as if it were scripted, after rolling the ball again it would go to the ground Miguel. The key piece of his scheme was the ischium area. And the gesture forced Danjuma practically unheated. Surely the record for injuries in less than 10 minutes. The interruptions in the game, although they slowed down the pace, would be compensated by the controversy. In one center, the referee pointed out penalty for a touch by Arnau with Conechny to the attempted dribble. Touch, which left a lot of doubts due to the intensity. And the VAR call would cause the penalty to be corrected. With that, and two more sparks from the babazorros, rest came like May rain for Míchel’s team.
The second half would have a new member in the Gironí scheme: enter Oriol Romeu by Iván Martín. The babazorros kept the plan. All your play to the gang Tenaglia and Carlos Vicentetwo players capable of marking the differences and the rhythms of a match. With them, it was Alavés that wanted rock and roll. AND Krejci He was beginning to be overwhelmed in defensive tasks. Later, the scenario would also be repeated on the opposite side. Each attempt to go out with the ball played, theft by Alavés and an attack on the Gazzaniga area.
Under this plan, Conechny would have the goal in his boots. Race on the right of the usual one, Carlos Vicente. Dragging three defenders, he reaches the area and puts a cross to the far post where all he has to do is push. And the Argentine would do it, alone… but to the stands! Coudet’s face said it all. On the other side of the benches, Míchel took action. But just the opposite of what many would do. More gunpowder was playing in attack: time for Stuani and Tsygankov. And, a few minutes later, given Bryan Gil’s physical problems, for Solís.
-The closing of the match still placed the local team as the main favorite for victory. With Conechny as the protagonist, through a distant shot, forced Gazzaniga signs one of the stretches of the season. But, when it seemed that it was time to distribute points, a blunder by Diarra would complicate everything. Center from Arnau, the center back makes a mistake in a clearance, and the ball remains dead for Solís to push it into goal. Without being the leader of the match, Míchel leaves Mendizorroza with the spearhead of his European objective. And Coudet, with many reasons to believe, despite continuing with a streak that is difficult to manage.
-TECHNICAL SHEET:
ALAVES: Owono, Tenaglia, Abqar, Diarra, Manu Sanchez (Villalibre, 90+2′); Blanco, Jordan (Guevara, 30th minute), Carlos Martin (Conechny, 30th minute), Carlos Vincent, Guridi; Kike Garcia (Tony Martinez, 72nd minute).
GIRONA: Gazzaniga; Miguel (Danjuma, min 33′), David López, Krejci, Blind, Arnau (C); Van de Beek (Tsygankov, min 70′), Janl, Iván Martín (Oriol Romeu, min 45′) and Bryan Gil; Abel Ruiz (Stuani, min 70′)
CARDS: Danjuma (35 min), Yangel Herrera (45+2 min), Krejci (49 min), Guridi (55 min), Stuani (81 min)
GOALS: Solís (min 90+1′)
