Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga faces fresh uncertainty ahead of Sunday’s fixture against Andorra at Montilivi after sustaining a gluteal strain during Monday’s match against Tenerife, where he was substituted at halftime. The Argentine has been a starter at Montilivi for five years, but recurring inconsistencies have prompted club sporting directors to pursue direct competition under the sticks repeatedly over recent campaigns.

The Precedent Set by Pau López

Sunday’s fixture brings an immediate reunion with Pau López, the first goalkeeper signed by Quique Cárcel specifically to challenge Gazzaniga. López arrived on loan in 2024 carrying a formidable resume from Espanyol, Tottenham, Betis, Roma, and Marseille. Míchel ultimately deployed him sparingly, leaving a sparse record: a half in La Liga at Vallecas after Gazzaniga suffered an injury, a Copa del Rey elimination against Logroñés, and a Champions League appearance against Arsenal where he stopped a penalty from Sterling.

López returned to competition recently after spending a couple of weeks sidelined with an injury following his summer arrival at Andorra.

Turbulent Goalkeeper Acquisitions Under Míchel

The quest to displace Gazzaniga yielded further friction in subsequent transfer windows. On the final day of the summer 2025 transfer window, Girona added international goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic. The Croatian international grew deeply frustrated by a lack of playing time amid a difficult start to the season that included a 0-4 defeat against Levante. When Míchel kept Gazzaniga in the lineup, Livakovic refused to play a Copa del Rey fixture in Ourense—a match Gazzaniga ultimately had to play while running a fever because sitting out would have barred Livakovic from registering with another club ahead of the World Cup. “Em toca els collons,” Míchel told reporters in his post-match press conference.

Following Livakovic’s departure, the club brought in Ter Stegen in the winter of 2026. The German goalkeeper immediately won the starting job. However, Ter Stegen’s run lasted just two matches before he sustained an injury at Oviedo, paving the way for Gazzaniga to reclaim the role. Ter Stegen has since moved on to Ajax.

Current Backing From Club Leadership

Following the relegation, sporting leadership recalibrated their priorities away from the position. “If I haven’t signed any goalkeeper, it’s because I have full confidence in Gazzaniga,” Cárcel stated in a post-transfer window press conference, addressing supporters who jeered the Argentine after he conceded twice against Las Palmas. “He deserves respect.” Quique Álvarez echoed that backing, confirming that internal discussions centered on Gazzaniga’s commitment to helping the team return to the first division. Gazzaniga responded with a series of steady displays, including a run that yielded vital points and an assist to Asprilla at Gijón.

Unresolved Questions for Sunday at Montilivi

Whether Gazzaniga recovers sufficiently from his gluteal issue to start against Andorra remains the central question. If the Argentine is deemed unfit, emergency signing Vladyslav Krapyvtsov stands ready after traveling to Tenerife as cover, having spent nearly a year without a competitive appearance prior to his arrival. Sunday’s kickoff at Montilivi will clarify whether the incumbent retains his place or if physical concerns finally force a change in goal.