Quique Álvarez wants Girona to extend its positive run

“We have to try to extend this run,” Quique Álvarez said. After two successive Liga wins and a victory over Cuarte in the Copa del Rey, the Girona coach is preparing for the visit of Real Sociedad B with one priority: to keep the momentum going without losing sight of the demands of the competition.

The coach stressed the need for concentration in a league where results can change quickly. “This competition has positive and negative runs. When things are going your way, you have to try to make the run last; to do that, you need to be mentally strong,” he said. He also warned against complacency: “We cannot assume we are safe because of the run we are on. Even if the opponent is not in its best moment, you cannot relax.”

His respect for the opposition does not change Girona’s objective. Quique Álvarez believes Real Sociedad did not deserve to lose several of the matches it has played, while hoping its run does not turn around against his team. “They are a very difficult opponent,” he said. “The aim is to beat Real; I am not looking beyond that. I want a third consecutive win so we can approach the match against Almería in good shape and show that we understand what this division demands.”

The coach also believes that results do not always reflect his team’s level of performance. He linked the difference between first and second halves to fitness and a difficult pre-season. In his view, the substitutes’ ability to make an impact at key moments is another part of the current momentum: “The players coming on are contributing at important moments. That is what we want to keep, without letting that energy drop.”

Competition among the forwards gives him more options, even if it makes his decisions harder. He would like his strikers to be in form regularly, because that strengthens competition within the squad. On team availability, he said Jastin was expected to return and be the only change to the squad list. Everyone else should be available apart from Bryan and Boñar. He also praised Mate’s mentality, competitiveness and strong team spirit.