It seems incredible that the departure of the rojiblanco coach, until three days ago, caught us by surprise, when it was something that had been simmering on the noble floor of Ibaigane. The lack of continuity of the lions in their game, the number of accumulated defeats at the start of the season with a friendly calendar and the feelings that the team transmitted in many games pointed in that direction.
Nobody would have been surprised, or perhaps not so much, his dismissal after falling to Valladolid, Alavés, Osasuna or Cádiz. Defeats with a bad image. By not going back so much in time, we can also stay with the blow of the derby.
They fell by the minimum against Real, but the team conveyed a worrying sense of inferiority. Many of us expected the relief on the bench that same day, but the lack of news made us think that Elizegi and his board were going to offer the deriotarra a new opportunity against Elche. The umpteenth match ball.
Let's not forget that a few days ago, in the Assembly, the president defended tooth and nail the work of Garitano and his generational renewal project. Words that the wind has blown away. The defeat against Real was the straw that broke the camel's back.
Whatever happened to Elche was sentenced, as it was shown, because the team won with a more than worthy performance. The error of the directive does not lie in the change of course on the bench, a decision that had broad support, but in the way of managing time.
If they were so clear that Garitano was not going to continue, they should have dismissed him on December 31, regardless of whether his bet, Marcelino Garcia Toral, whether or not it arrived for the first match of 2021. Couldn't the club survive a match with Etxebe or another house technician in front?
It is unforgivable to load a coach of the house like that. They are within their rights, of course, and for many it was an obligation; but the forms count and here they have screwed up. Elizegi must have looked Garitano in the eye and explained the situation. If they had appealed to his sentiment and professionalism, he would have even led the game against Elche as the last service to the cause, but with the truth ahead.
A dead king, put king.
Marcelino will make his debut today on the San Mamés bench against Barça, one of those games in which he has a lot to gain and little to lose. In this type of engagement the lions are always competitive and this Barca is not as scary as in past seasons.
I want to see how the players adapt to the classic 4-4-2 of the Asturian coach. See if Muniain occupies the second position of forward with Williams or with Villalibre and the 'panther' in band. There are many unknowns and the beauty from now on will be to talk exclusively about football. His statements against Athletic, I think they have to remain in the past, although it is true that many ‘athleticzales’ will monitor him with a magnifying glass until he convinces them, as he did Raul Garcia in his day