“I am interested in the project and I had a conversation with the coach which was decisive in my decision. I am coming back to Girona to rediscover the pleasure of football and I feel good in this club (…) The decision was entirely mine after the call from the coach. After hanging up, I told my agent that Girona would be the right place (…) We have not yet discussed in depth (with coach Michel, editor’s note). I wanted to train first and get to know my teammates. I’ve worked with them before and I’m happy. I thank God, the club and everyone for their trust. These were the words of Thomas Lemar at the beginning of August, when he packed his bags in Girona.
After a practically blank season at Atlético, with 80 minutes played over just 5 La Liga matches, the former Monegasque had bet on Girona to get back on track. Unfortunately for him, it’s anything but a success for the moment. He has only played 5 La Liga games so far, including one as a starter, against Sevilla at the end of August. However, Michel obviously intended to give it a fairly important role, since he had used it during the first three days. But the curse of injuries has once again fallen on the attacking midfielder who has just celebrated his 30th birthday. And this while this summer, he had undergone a more thorough medical examination than usual, since the Catalans wanted to ensure that the physical problems were behind him.
Still undermined by injuries…
In mid-September, just before the match against Celta, a calf injury which kept him away from the field for a month. Returning at the end of October, he made two appearances, against Oviedo then against Getafe, notably delivering an assist in this first match. Not used against Alavés before the international break, the Guadeloupean was however injured again and suffered from muscular discomfort which prevented him from making the trip to the Betis pitch on Sunday. And it’s a shame, since Michel seems to be counting on him. A coach who advocates a game more focused on attack, he knows that the Frenchman’s technical quality and excellent vision of the game could have been useful to his team which is in a sad eighteenth place in the La Liga standings.
The situation in Catalonia is complex, since in addition to the particularly bad results, the atmosphere in the locker room would be far from good. Michel, who still has credit following his superb 2023/2024 campaign and this qualification for the Champions League, knows that his hours can be numbered. Suffice to say that the match against Real Madrid next weekend risks costing him dearly; a match for which Thomas Lemar is therefore very uncertain. Suffice it to say that the Frenchman’s adventure in Girona is turning into a nightmare…
