With the team’s qualification for the next edition of the Champions League assured, Girona’s prominence has been assumed by individuals, most especially by Sávio Moreira de Oliveira. Savinho, as he is popularly known, has been described by Michel as the “best surprise in the League”. And it is already known that the coach’s word is a blessing after the game exhibited and the third place achieved by the club. Savinho is part of the Michel dimension, a kind of football universe that has animated a tournament dominated with an iron fist by Madrid.
“The first day I saw him train in the preseason,” Michel remembers, “I told Quique (in reference to sports director Quique Cárcel) that we would finish among the top eight in the League.” “Have you gone crazy?” responded the person responsible for Girona’s sports policy since 2014. Michel was right and the red and white entity has competed with Madrid and Barça with very good collective football and excellent players like Dovbyk, who has 21 goals, two less than Sorloth in the fight for the Pichichi, and above all Savinho. “He has brutal talent, he is incredible, a unique player,” Michel concludes.
Opta’s statistics certify the impression of an unbalanced player, even when he is not successful in front of goal, as happened in Mendizorroza. That match ended with a 2-2 draw after Guridi equalized in the 99th minute. Savinho appeared before the cameras to apologize to his teammates and the fans because he missed “three clear chances” in a match that ended up being key to deciding the runner-up position. in favor of Barça. “One of his qualities is also humility; “He always thinks he needs support,” says Michel.
The coach invited the forward to improve his performance in the final meters, advice which he fulfilled two games later at Mestalla. Savinho hugged Michel as soon as the score opened in Valencia (1-3). “Let’s see if I can have him next year!” concluded the coach, aware that the Brazilian is one of the best-placed players in the transfer market. The fate of Savinho, a player on loan from French side Troyes, depends on the City Football Group.
Girona will have to modify its shareholding relationship with City to compete in the Champions League. And Michel understands that to compete well he will need Savinho, author of 11 goals – 9 in the League – and 9 assists and a leading figure among the forwards in Europe’s five major leagues. Savinho is the third player with the most dribbles attempted in absolute terms (212), one less than Matías Soulé, of Grosinone (213) and four than Mohammed Kudus, of West Ham (216), while Nico Williams is fifth (184) and Vinicus, seventh (168). The Brazilian’s numbers are even better in completed dribbles because he is second with 102 to Kudus’ 124.
The percentages vary when they refer to the average number of attempts per game, ranking which Vinicius leads with 6.72 in 25 games, higher than Savinho’s 5.89 in 36. Kudus regains the lead in the average number of dribbles completed per game with 3.76 in 33 games compared to 2.83 in 36 for Savinho and 2.8 for Nico Williams in 30. And, finally, the list of players with the most goals scored, It is led by Kylian Mbappe: 27 goals and 7 assists. Vinicus is seventh with 20 (15 and 5) and Savinho is left with 18 (9 and 9).
The winger personifies the vertical football that Michel demands and Cárcel warned about in the U-20 World Cup. That forward trained at Atlético Mineiro was noted as one of the best promises of Brazilian football after a youth marked by his family work on a cow farm and also by his collaboration in the organization of rodeo shows in São Mateus . At 20 years old, married since he was 19, Savinho excels in one-on-one situations, drives the ball to change pace and scores goals, essential virtues to excel in the League and in Europe.
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