Any ball that gets to Stuani is an obvious danger. Because, like good strikers, the Uruguayan is capable of converting a pitch into a subtle assist that he himself is responsible for sending into the net. A ram of resources. But if there is one aspect of his game to highlight, his strength would be his aerial game. That is why he is the top headed scorer in the Second Division, with 6 goals, a trend that can be seen throughout the Catalan team: with 13, he is the team in the category that has scored the most with his head. Ziganda wants to limit Girona’s offensive potential and is therefore considering, as in Burgos, putting the defense of three central defenders and long lanes into contention.
Oviedo faces a play-off final in a week aimed at a double objective: to recover the staff’s spirits (the wasted opportunity against Real B still weighs) and to study Montilivi’s duel. Already in Burgos, el Cuco chose to put armor on the center of the defense in his eagerness to grow from defense. Girona, predictably, will demand the best of the defensive versions and that is where the possibility of using the three centrals opens up.
The absence of the sanctioned Isaac is another factor to take into account in Cuco’s decision. The defender on loan from Alavés has advanced Lucas in recent weeks in the coach’s preferences, but the blue youth squad was chosen at El Plantío, with a defense of five. Ziganda likes Lucas in his lane version, with more travel and freedom to step on the rival field. On the left, Mossa and Cornud will compete for the position in the competition, either with a line of four or with lanes. The Valencian has been chosen in the last two days.
The power of Girona overlooked is evident. In addition to Stuani, Juanpe (2), Bernardo (2, although he was absent on Sunday), Álex Baena, Bueno and Pablo Moreno scored with his head. With seven goals from corners, there are only two teams that have scored more: Eibar and Fuenlabrada, with 8. Their success in lateral fouls is even greater: with six goals, no one in the Second Division has scored more in that way. Adding up all the actions from set pieces, Girona is the leader with 17 hits.
Oviedo will have to meditate on the best way to counter Stuani’s imam and his own in their heads without forgetting their own weapons. Because the blues are also a powerful team in the air game and in strategic actions. Without reaching the numbers of Girona, Oviedo has scored 9 header goals so far in the competition, only behind those of Míchel and Burgos, with 10. Bastón, as is logical, is their benchmark: 4 such goals.
The blues also present notable numbers in set pieces. His influence, basic at the beginning of the competition, has been attenuated with the passing of the days but he continues to stand out in these contests. He has scored 13 times in strategic actions, the sixth in the Second Division, and presents his best numbers in corner kicks: 6 goals, only surpassed by three teams, Girona among them.
The sum of factors could lead Ziganda to include Tarín in his game plan, sacrificing one of the attacking men. Air defense is presented as a matter of vital importance.
