Like everyone in Montilivi, Javi Hernández wears a smile these days. “We would like to finish in the top ten,” he says, publicly exposing the team’s internal goal of Michelwho is completing a fantastic season in his return to the First Division. Hernández, however, like the rest of the white-and-red dressing room, does not trust the juicy margin there is with respect to the relegation places. The eight points, nowadays, mean a lot, but they are not everything. “We don’t know how the issue of permanence will end, because there are many teams involved in the fight. It doesn’t look like we’re there, but if we lose a couple of games, we’ll be down there again. Each game must be a final, we must try to add three at a time, and we’ll see how we finish».
first, theElx. Hernández repeats the message, time after time. No confidences. Salvation must continue to be earned. “We do not want to take recognition away from Elche, because it has been in Primera for three years and we have just arrived there. They’re a good team and they’re going to win. Last week he was beating Osasuna. They won’t give anything away, they make it complicated and they will want to finish the League as best as possible. The match is very important.” An impeccable speech, like the mentality of a dressing room that is surely experiencing the best moment of the course. “Now comes the most important part of the course, but the team is in a good dynamic and doing things well. We have to give the maximum and we are aware that the sooner the better we have to close the permanence and add all possible points».
Ownership has been earned
If on a collective scale Girona has taken a step forward, it has been thanks to the good individual version of most of its footballers. Among them a Javi Hernández who seems to have lost the title to Miguel Gutiérrez on the left side. Monday, atSpotify Camp Nou, completed the ninety minutes in the second clean sheet of the course for Paolo Gazzaniga. “We already saw what Barça is like, but the game went well for us. The whole defense covered well, we had a great game. I’m picking up pace, confidence. I keep growing, I’m getting better every time.” Regarding the differences with his demarcation partner, he explains that “Miguel is a great player, he gives a lot to the team. The system we use also influences, because of my way of playing and ball release. Miguel is also easy, but he is more offensive, he attacks more. I’m more defensive, but at the same time I like to reach the opposite area».
The change of role in Míchel’s scheme allows Javi Hernández to offer a solid version of his repertoire. He is a born worker, the Andalusian defender. Of those who always comply. “Playing is more enjoyable, it’s always good to have minutes, but when I haven’t played I’ve worked to be ready for when the time comes, to give my best. Now I’m happy.” Javi Hernández has played 16 games, with nine starts and 799 minutes in which he has scored a goal. He has started in the last two matches: in the victory againstEspanyol (2-1) and the draw against the Barça (0-0).
However, Javi Hernández is not worried about the future. Live the present. First, permanence. And then, “we’ll see.” “It’s not up to me, I’m on loan for a year and I have a contract with him leganes. I don’t know what will happen, if they will talk or if we will wait for the League to finish. I’m happy and at ease here”, concludes a discreet man who has won the support of the dressing room, Míchel Sánchez and the Girona fans.