The Girona of Michel is ninety minutes away from being able to be next year in the First Division and next Sunday in Tenerife He must have the success that he did not have in Montilivi (0-0) in order to achieve the long-awaited promotion.
It may seem surprising how two such opposite plans and styles can take place in a First Division promotion playoff final. It was something that could be expected, but the match between Girona and Tenerife in Montilivi was a true reflection of what both teams have been throughout the season and the purest example of what the two styles of each coach are.
Girona proposed, tried and was the one who dominated the ball throughout the match. Míchel’s team had 69% of the possession of the ball and finished off 16 times, three of them on goal, for only 3 by Tete, who only shot between the three posts on one occasion and from distance. However, neither Baena nor Stuani could pierce Soriano’s goal. Ramis’s game plan worked for him and Tenerife is right now the favorite to be promoted to the First Division, since it is better for them to win, but also to draw, in the game that will be played next Sunday at the Heliodoro.
Despite the advantage that the result gives them and playing the second leg away from home, Míchel and Girona fully trust their options. The Catalan team already came from behind in the semifinals against Eibar and despite the fact that a draw would take them to extra time, the Catalans must win at the end of 120′, because if they tied at the end of extra time it would be Tenerife who ascends for having been ahead in the classification.
Control of the match through the ball, high pressure in the opposition field or neutralizing Tenerife’s offensive resources are some of the many things that Girona did well in Montilivi to minimize a rival that defended like never before, but that was not found in any moment with the ability to do damage. Míchel himself recognized after the game that the only but that could put the game of his own is the lack of success from three quarters of the field, the subject that the Girona team must pass if it wants to be in the First Division.
Two years in a row with promotion and comeback from sixth
Girona knows well what it means to be the favorite and end up losing the tie at home. The last two years the Catalan team came to the second leg with some advantage and with the field factor, but ended up losing in both. Two seasons ago, Elche drew 0-0 with Girona in the first leg, just like on Saturday, and it earned them a goal in the second leg discount to get promoted. Last season it was even more complicated for Rayo, who came to Montilivi after losing 1-2 and had to win by a difference of two goals if they wanted to be promoted, and that’s how it was (0-2).