Cristhian Stuani (10-12-1986, Tala) is the watchword of this Girona. The Uruguayan striker, who is experiencing an irregular season due to injuries, has the second leg of the final against Rayo marked in red. After relegation, two years ago, a Segunda opted to continue as rojiblanco to return the club to Primera and is just one step away from achieving it. In the final of last year, in the return against Elche, he was expelled and hence the thorn in him is even deeper. He is eager to get even.
How are you doing this week before the final game of the playoff?
It is being a spectacular week, unique because it is enjoyed from the first moment to the last. We repeat the situation a year later and we attach tremendous importance to getting here. We are one step away from achieving a goal that has become very difficult.
Is it more enjoyable than suffering?
Both because the other day a great game was played, it was won at the Rayo field and we were tremendously happy, but we already wanted to play in a few days. We want to play now.
What is the feeling that predominates in the group?
Ambition. But you have to keep your feet on the ground because nothing has been achieved yet. The other day in Vallecas we took an important step and the team is doing well, but we have to be aware that it will be difficult.
You suffered the defeat last year in the playoff against Elche. Does that make you even more excited?
That already happened. What comes to mind is being able to achieve the goal, dreaming of the final whistle and being able to achieve the promotion, it is priceless. We are going to leave everything in the field to go up. We have a rematch of what happened last season and we can forget about that. This opportunity cannot be escaped. It is clear that I want to move up with this team and make history, I have it marked. I am proud of everything I have accomplished here, but I am not a conformist and I want to achieve this promotion.
Do you think this is the year of promotion?
It is a great moment and now we have to be able to enjoy changing that streak and such hard moments of recent times. Soccer, sometimes, gives you and others takes you away and we have to be with the positive mentality that this year it will be our turn.
Do you notice tension in the environment?
It's good to have tension because it's a final. You have to have that point of nervousness and tension that leads you to give everything and more. It remains for us to finish the job at home, so that no one thinks that this is done. We are going to have to play a great game to get promoted.
In Vallecas he returned to play after four games without being able to do so due to injuries. How did you feel?
They were important minutes for me, I was really looking forward to it. The injury in the last leg of the league was a shame, but I'm already with the team. I'm fine and I want to give everything I have to achieve the goal. I am very proud, we are a group of players with a good mentality. There is also humility and we are ready to face what is coming.
Have you ever imagined celebrating the promotion goal?
You have to do it first, but I have been thinking about it and I will surely have the opportunity to achieve that goal. But the most important thing is that I dream of the final whistle and being able to celebrate the promotion.
This season, due to injuries, he has only been able to score ten goals. It is his worst figure since he signed for Girona …
I had them badly accustomed (laughs). Last year I had to score a tremendous amount of goals, but I would have changed them to achieve promotion. This year it is a bit that, in the end I think we have shared the issue of goals and the team is very good. I am very happy, very satisfied with the group and in this situation I always say that first it is the group and then the individuals. I would like to score many more goals, but I wouldn't trade it for anything we have now. We are here to achieve the goal of promotion.
“Last year I had to score a tremendous amount of goals, but I would have changed them to achieve promotion”
What the hell are you waiting for?
The best. It is a team with very good qualities, that is why it is here. But we play at home, we are confident, the team is doing very well and they also worry about us.
Are you ready to play the 90 minutes against Rayo?
I am trying to have a good preparation this week to arrive in good condition and help in whatever I need. It's time to make pineapple. I am not going to demand anything, far from it, I will contribute everything I have in favor of the team.