Míchel on Ounahi, Gazzaniga, Arnau Martínez, Livakovic, and Hugo Rincón

Girona FC

Players' Status

61

Arnau Martínez
3.250.000€+120.000€    4

J1

DF

11

35

Hugo Rincón
710.000€+50.000€    -

J1

DF

00

69

Ounahi
7.070.000€+180.000€    -

J1

MD

03

“Arnau and Hugo are fine from the flu they had. Ounahi is also well from the discomfort and Van de Beek, Portu, Stuani, David López, Juan Carlos, Kravpvtsov, and Abel Ruíz remain out. They are in their recovery process, and I hope those who can will be with us soon”.

The reality of the goalkeeping position

“I have never hidden and have always spoken candidly. I have seen and read things I did not like. These are not technical decisions, this is the reality. That’s why, when someone writes about it knowing it's a lie... My doors are always open. Livakovic arrived and the first thing I did was talk to him. I showed him a video and we talked about the technical, tactical, physical, and mental sensations I need from a goalkeeper in attack and defense. And, most importantly, that we were in competition and there was a process, not knowing the language. We already knew that Gazzaniga had failed, but Livakovic had to compete for the position. He is a very good goalkeeper, but he needs a process to understand the game, the language, and the way of playing. When the process starts during the season, it is difficult, because we lost 0-4 against Levante and he wasn't prepared to play, even though people thought he was. That day he talked to me and he is a spectacular guy, but he has a timeline with his goals different from Girona's goals. This is a private matter, but I speak because the fans need to know. He needs to play for the World Cup, not for Girona, and he told me that. He is honest and so am I. That's how it is. At that time he told me he didn't want to be here and didn't want to play because to leave he can’t play for Girona. The cup is not a technical decision. I wanted him to play and he said no. That's the truth. I have always spoken candidly. I don't like talking about private conversations with a player, but sometimes it's necessary. I only have one goalkeeper available. Gazzaniga played in the cup with a fever of 38. Sick, with the flu. And everyone keeps quiet. I swallow it, it's okay. This was three months ago. We have had two more conversations and I have always had the same response: I want to leave. And if Gazzaniga has a problem or gets sent off tomorrow, what would happen? I want Livakovic to play. I hope it doesn’t happen for the good of all of us. That's how it is. Gazzaniga has been doing very good things for three years. He has made mistakes, like everyone, but his commitment is beyond doubt. When they compete for the position, I have always said that when someone gives 100%, they play. But this is not my problem because I can't count on Livakovic. I hope in the winter transfer market we find a solution. Either a goalkeeper will come or he'll stay. I don't know what will happen. We have a problem until the winter transfer market and it’s okay to say it. It could be that with Livakovic at 100%, Gazzaniga would play, but I have never had this dilemma. And Krapyvtsov is injured. I don't like talking about this, but sometimes it’s necessary. That's how it is”.

Gazzaniga

74

Gazzaniga
2.130.000€+20.000€    5

J1

PT

02

0

Livakovic
200.000€+10.000€    -

J1

PT

00

“Sometimes he doesn’t get the respect he deserves. The case with Pau López from last season is very different. At that time, I decided that Gazzaniga had to play because I believed he was the better goalkeeper then. Some may think otherwise, but I do. I watch all the training sessions, I see how they do things, and I know who has acquired the concepts of goalkeeping. It's not about the goalkeeper coaches. To make a decision, I need to know and I have prepared for that. I have already said that Livakovic was very honest with me, but I asked him for patience and he didn’t have it because our goals were not on the same timeline and we didn’t reach an agreement. After all this, I told him that for me, he was no longer a problem because I didn’t have to decide anymore. And he also had it clear. When two people have things clear, it gets resolved. It was a private conversation and I don't like to say it. I am not defending my position, but I am defending the goalkeeper who has been here for years doing things for the good of Girona”.

Defeat against Elche

“The team did not show its best version, and after the match, everyone was a little down, which is normal, but we have prepared the match well and we are ready to play tomorrow, have a good game, and win to be as close as possible to the 20 points we need to have at the end of the first half of the season. We have to keep going. We know we need to improve from the other day and I hope that in the Real Sociedad's field, we show a better version”.

Self-criticism

“We need to improve in everything. I have always said that when we attack well, our defense is better, and that if we are together in defensive situations, then we can come out and harm the opponent in transition. We need everything, attack and defense. We have to be a team that is proactive with the ball and can make sure that Real Sociedad does not have good ball circulation and does not reach the final third of the field well, where they have players with a lot of talent. We have to be a team, with our way of doing things, that is capable of dominating the match. Real is a great team and has many good things, but we have to take a step forward and be able to dominate the match”.

Hope

“We have a squad to achieve good results and at times we have done it. We have competed in many matches. After the first five matchdays, the team has improved, and I feel that since then we are in a better position in terms of feelings. That's the truth, but this process continues and we have to keep suffering because we are in a difficult and tough situation for us”.