Girona and Tenerife square off in the first leg of the Segunda Division playoff final on Saturday as they bid to move a step closer to a return to La Liga.
Both teams recorded away wins during the reverse fixtures of their respective semi-final ties, meaning that both teams head into the game at Estadi Montilivi full of confidence.
Match preview
© Reuters
When Girona and Tenerife finished in fifth and sixth position respectively, it was clear that both teams were fortunate to feature in the end-of-season shakeup.
Nevertheless, on the back of failing to win their respective games on the final day of the season, they have taken full advantage of their opportunity.
All things considered, Girona were the clear underdogs heading into the playoffs having lost four of their final eight fixtures of the season.
Michel's team appeared further on their way out of contention when trailing Eibar by a 1-0 scoreline after the home first leg, but they upset the odds with a fine comeback in the reverse fixture.
After Borja Garcia had got the tie back on level terms in the first minute, Cristhian Stuani followed suit in the opening 60 seconds of extra time to guide his side to a 2-0 triumph on the night.
Tenerife had finished marginally higher than Girona in the final standings, but three successive defeats to end the campaign meant that they were far from confident ahead of their double-header with Las Palmas.
However, Luis Miguel Ramis witnessed his side both matches, a 1-0 home success being followed by a 2-1 triumph on their travels, a 3-0 aggregate lead having been established by half time of the second leg.
While goals have not been the strength of both teams of late, it sets up a mouthwatering encounter between a side in Girona who last played in La Liga in 2019 and Tenerife who have not participated in the top flight since 2010.
The two teams last met as recently as May 9, a first-half goal from Mario Gonzalez earning Tenerife a 1-0 away win on that occasion.
- L
- L
- W
- D
- L
- W
- W
- L
- L
- L
- W
- W
Team News
Garcia is a major fitness doubt for Girona having gone off injured at half time of the second leg versus Eibar.
Aleix Garcia is on standby to replace the central midfielder if required, and that may prove to be the only alteration made by Michel.
However, Stuani's extra-time goal means that he could return in place of Nahuel Bustos down the middle of the attack.
Barring any unforeseen injury issues, Ramis is unlikely to tinker with the team which ultimately eased past Las Palmas.
Enric Gallego will hope to build on his return in that fixture having ended a near three-month wait for a goal with a first-half double.
Girona possible starting lineup:
Juan Carlos; Martinez, Bueno, Espinosa, Juanpe, Fernandez; Martin, Lozano, A. Garcia, Baena; Bustos
Tenerife possible starting lineup:
Soriano; Moore, S. Gonzalez, Leon, Mellot; Mollejo, Corredera, Sanz, Bermejo; Gallego, M. Gonzalez
We say: Girona 1-1 Tenerife
Rather than look at league positions, we can only assess these teams by their playoff performances, leading us to believe that this should be a high-quality encounter. Both teams would probably accept a draw heading into the second leg, and a low-scoring stalemate feels like the most likely outcome.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
