The echo of Girona’s last goal in Montilivi still accompanies Girona on its way to the Metropolitano. The victory against Betis was very celebrated because it confirmed the white and red aspirations of qualifying for the Champions League, because it came in added time (m.92) and because the scorer of the goal was Christian Stuani. A complete happiness that Míchel, the coach, celebrated with a promise: “Stuani will wear the captain’s armband on the day of Girona’s debut in Europe.” In the absence of knowing the category of the tournament, whether it is the Champions League or the Europa League, the continental ticket is practically guaranteed pending this Saturday’s match against Atlético de Madrid (2:00 p.m., Dazn).

Girona finished the first round of the League with a victory, also in extra time, against Atlético after a goal from Iván Martín: 4-3. Míchel’s team had the same points as Madrid (48), was the top scorer in the championship (46) and had only lost one game (at the Bernabéu) and had 15 victories, one especially celebrated in Montjuïc (2-4) . . Today, with eight days left until the final, they are third, with seven points more than Atlético, which occupies fourth, the position that closes the Champions zone, while Athletic is nine behind. The defeats in San Mamés, Getafe and Mallorca have been compensated by the victories against Osasuna, Rayo and Betis in Montilivi.

Stuani scored against Betis in the 92nd minute, against Almería in the 85th, against Valencia in the 82nd and 85th, he scored the fourth against Barça in the 95th and with Sevilla scored in the 89th. There are already eight goals and two assists in 28 League games, although he has only started five. He has a total of 32 shots, 17 on goal, and scores a goal every 91 minutes. At 37 years old, the Uruguayan striker from Tala has become a player of moments, of decisive moments, because his presence on the field connects with the team and excites a devoted fan since his arrival in the summer of 2017. Girona has a blind faith in Stuani, whether as a starter or as a substitute, decisive in promotion and now decisive in the League.

“I don’t need to motivate Stuani. I am giving him fewer minutes than he deserves because it is essential,” Míchel recalled. “He is the soul of the team and the club. He has an incredible mentality and competitiveness. He deserves all the good things that happened to him,” concluded the Girona coach. The Uruguayan has ended up assuming his apparent secondary role after last season the spotlight was on Taty Castellanos and in the current season there is a lot of good talk about Dovbyk, who with 16 goals qualifies for the Pichichi. The numbers ensure that he is the one who has played the most games (246) and scored the most (130) with Girona. His has been and is one of the best-selling t-shirts, no matter how much Blind’s t-shirts look lately. Tsygankov, Dovbyk or Savinho.

No wonder there is a campaign underway for Stuani to have a statue in Montilivi. “It is the soul of Girona” they agree in the locker room, in the box and in the most faithful sectors of the stands, those where the fans who also lived through the relegations and promotions, also the promotions, the times they used to gather. surpass yourself with Stuani’s goals: 33 in the 2017-2018 season; 34 in the next; 41 in the 2019-2020 fiscal year; 29 in the 2020-2021 academic year and 41 in 2021-2022. Now it totals 13 (five in the Cup), three less than those added in the 2023-2024 season.

Competitiveness and commitment are the driving forces of a player with a contract until 2026 and who aspires to retire at Girona. “I feel privileged for the experiences of all kinds that I have with this club,” he responds when asked about his relationship with the Montilivi entity. The international press that has recently come to Girona, as well as different documentaries, all interested in the team’s success, know that for their relationship to make sense they need to interview Stuani, one of the strikers in the major European leagues who has scored the most goals. marked coming off the bench, as was seen against Betis. The points that the Uruguayan’s goals have meant are precisely the same seven that now separate Girona from Atlético.

Stuani’s presence is not guaranteed for the Metropolitano match. The doubt, in any case, offends in his case and no one rules out that, no matter how much pain he is in, he will go out on the field if necessary to help Michel’s team. He does not need much time to mark and expand his resume. “Seeing my career excites me,” warns the Uruguayan, ready to retire at Girona. The challenge is to display the captain’s armband in the debut of the Champions League.

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