La Liga Loan Watch: Gil Shines for Girona, Veliz struggles at Espanyol
Teh final round of La Liga fixtures before the winter break saw two Tottenham Hotspur loanees in action, with contrasting fortunes. Bryan Gil enjoyed a accomplished outing with girona, while Alejo Veliz continued to face limited opportunities at Espanyol.
Girona hosted Real Valladolid on Saturday, with manager Michel deploying Gil on the left flank in a 3-4-3 formation. Despite typically occupying a more central attacking role, Gil and his counterpart Yaser Asprilla were utilized as wide threats.
The tactical shift proved effective, as Girona secured a resounding 3-0 victory. Former Tottenham forward Arnaut Danjuma, now with Girona, added the third goal from the bench.Ex-Spurs goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga also played a key role, keeping a clean sheet between the posts.
Gil,though not directly involved in any goals,delivered a solid performance.He registered two shots, 65 touches, 33 accurate passes, completed his only long ball attempt, won five out of eight ground duels, drew two fouls, and made two tackles before being substituted after 83 minutes.
This win propelled Girona to 8th place in the La Liga standings with 25 points from 18 games, a commendable start considering the departure of several key players during the summer transfer window.
Simultaneously occurring, Veliz remained on the Espanyol bench, struggling for consistent playing time. While he did make a substitute appearance, unlike in recent matches, he was unable to influence the game as Espanyol suffered a 1-0 defeat against Las Palmas in the Canary Islands.
the loss leaves Espanyol languishing in 18th place with 15 points from 18 games, occupying the final relegation spot. Real Valladolid, currently at the bottom of the table with 12 points, received an unexpected boost from Girona’s victory.
Following the winter break,Gil and Girona will travel to face Alaves on January 11th,while Veliz and Espanyol will host Leganes on the same day. More detailed previews will be available closer to the match dates.
Gil’s Girona Glory, Veliz’s Espanyol Exile: A La Liga Loan Watch Debate with Former Striker, Ian Wright
Welcome back, football fans, to another edition of “Talking Tactics.” Today, we’re delving into the contrasting fortunes of two Tottenham Hotspur loanees in La Liga: Bryan Gil, shining radiant for Girona, and Alejo Veliz, facing a struggle for minutes at Espanyol. Sharing his expert insights is former Arsenal and England striker, the legendary Ian Wright.
Welcome,Ian. What were your initial thoughts on seeing Gil’s performance for Girona?
Ian Wright: Always been a fan of Gil’s, his directness and creativity can trouble any defense on his day. Playing him out wide seems to be working wonders for him and Girona. manager michel deserves credit for recognizing his strengths and adapting his system accordingly.
Absolutely. Those stats speak volumes – 65 touches, 33 accurate passes, winning duels.He’s influencing the game from out wide even without directly contributing to goals.
ian Wright: Exactly! That’s what we call contributing to the build-up, being a threat even without the final touch. It’s encouraging for Spurs fans to see him develop this versatility.
Now, let’s turn our attention to Veliz. He’s yet to make a real impact at Espanyol. Do you think it’s a tactical issue, or simply a case of a young player needing time to adapt?
Ian Wright: I’m leaning towards the latter. La Liga is a tough league,physically demanding and tactically astute. Espanyol’s struggles as a team aren’t helping either. It’s a tough surroundings for a newcomer, especially when you’re not guaranteed consistent playing time.
There’s definitely a lot to be said for adaptation. How significant do you think that break will be for Veliz, mentally and physically?
Ian Wright: Crucial! A chance to reset, work on his fitness, and maybe even get some extra training sessions tailored to his needs.Espanyol’s coaching staff needs to find ways to integrate him better, maybe in a different role if the current system isn’t suiting him.
Fascinating point about a different role. Do you think Espanyol should be playing veliz more centrally, where Tottenham fans saw his talent blossom?
Ian Wright: I’d definitely like to see that. Generating chances from central positions, being around the box – that’s where he can excel. But it all depends on Espanyol’s system. Hopefully,they’ll reconsider their approach with him.
The race for survival at the bottom of La Liga is heating up. What are your predictions for Espanyol and Girona after the break?
Ian Wright: Girona are looking solid, they’ve got momentum. If Gil keeps performing like this, they’ll be pushing for that top-half finish. Espanyol, conversely, have a real battle on their hands. They need to find a way to score goals and tighten up at the back.
Excellent insights, Ian! Thanks for joining us and sharing your thoughts.What are your thoughts, fans? Do you agree with Ian’s assessment? Let us know in the comments below!
