David López: “Míchel makes me enjoy football a lot”

He is aware that he is in the epilogue of his career. But that doesn’t mean David López (Barcelona, ​​1989) enjoys football any less, rejuvenated at Girona thanks to Míchel’s idea of ​​the game, a role model for the defender. Key in the recent history and present of the club, the Catalan now faces his past with Saturday’s match against Espanyol. After a restful break, he arrives healthy for the duel in Montilivi, a lot to say in a team with half a staff in the infirmary. The almost daily sessions with the physiotherapist, and other techniques such as growth factors, have probably influenced my escape from injuries this year. After training and after more than an hour attending to his care in the bowels of the Vilablareix sports city, the facilities still provisional, he attends to The Vanguard .

Plague of injuries

“Even Gazzaniga was on the verge of entering the Cup as a player”

Is it a coincidence that he was not injured?

There are several factors. With age you should work more hours. You also look for new techniques. There are no secrets, recovery work with the physio is key.

How is the locker room?

They have been tough weeks, with many injuries and games. We are left with a small group that has arrived tired at the break. It was difficult for me to finish against Getafe. In the end you have to do light workouts so as not to get more fatigued. Travel is also added.

He said they became afraid of injuries…

We have been to the limit. Even Gazzaniga was on the verge of entering the Cup as a player, there should have been seven of us from the first team.

He has also had great moments this season. He scored the club’s first goal in the Champions League against Feyenoord.

That my name remains in the history of Girona is very important, but I’m going further back. I arrived at Girona with the intention of helping. From then on, expectations were exceeded, I am delighted.

How do you feel in such a risky system for a defender?

I am comfortable, although the physical part is demanding. Other centre-backs do 9 km and I am close to 11. But I like it and the team is doing well.

Duel against Espanyol

“It’s special, it’s a difficult team. I have no resentment towards the club despite my departure, on the contrary”

Experience is imposed on the youth in Girona’s defense.

When you are young you have strength that helps you win duels, but when you get older, anticipating makes up for that waste. You optimize.

He has a lot of rapport with another veteran like Blind.

He does it very well. We try to know what will happen, be synchronized without looking at each other and solve actions with less wear and tear.

Now that it is fashionable for Barça, how do they manage the advanced offside line?

Barça makes it more exaggerated. It is communication, correcting with video and speaking in the field. This year we have barely practiced it, there is no time. Last year we played from memory. We had rapport and we could train him. This year there is the departure of players and the arrival of many.

So, is it a matter of time before they are last year’s?

We have more margin. There is a template for great things, although I don’t think it will be like last year.

What is the objective?

I don’t want to set a goal, but because of the squad, because of the coach and because of the idea of ​​the game, we must be among the top ten in the League.

What do you think of the whistles?

I respect every opinion. But as a player, especially in a difficult moment, we need the fans.

The prospects in the League

“I don’t want to set a goal, but because of the squad, because of the coach and because of the idea of ​​the game, we must be among the top ten”

Now Espanyol arrives. How do you approach the game?

Against Espanyol it is always special and complicated emotionally. I must prepare well, but I want to play it.

How do you see Espanyol?

The template he has made is to be admired. It looked bad, financially, but it is a difficult team. They will be saved. Manolo González is doing very well.

Did you celebrate the promotion?

Yes, I was on a family vacation. We continue the playoff. It was very difficult, but they deserved to go up.

Does the parakeet love reach you?

They constantly send me messages of support and recognition. It fills me with pride. That they continue to love me is important to me.

His departure did not go as he wanted.

I have no resentment towards the club, on the contrary. It’s already spoken. The manner of goodbye was neither appropriate nor fair. There was no problem with the renewal, but at the end of the course there were changes. They call me on vacation to tell me that they don’t count on me and that the farewell should be now. It was in the morning, during the week. People important to me couldn’t come. It was the summary of my final at Espanyol. A shame. A thorn in the side.

From Espanyol to Girona.

I was able to go to Qatar or the Emirates. I was emotionally bad, but I wanted to continue at a high level. In Girona everything came together. Míchel called me and convinced me.

In the band he is vehement, but what is Míchel like in the locker room?

Intense and perfectionist, he has clear ideas. He has a very good relationship with everyone, he is one more. I have learned and improved with him. I don’t know what would have happened to me if I had known him before, but I know that now he has helped me a lot and makes me enjoy football a lot. At the moment I’m in, I like to learn more tactics, understand the game.

The future

“I think more and more about tomorrow and I am clear that I want to get my coaching license.”

I sense that he would like to be a coach.

I think more and more about tomorrow and I am clear that I want to get my coaching license.

Would you change anything about your career?

When I left Napoli, I was young and in bad spirits. I left when we had just entered the Champions League. I let the opportunity pass and now I have achieved it at 35 years old. I would also have liked to go to the Premier. I had offers.

Barcelona, ​​Madrid, Naples, Huesca and now lives in Girona.

My family and I are very happy. It is a city that has a special charm.

How do you escape from football?

I like reading. And in Girona I play golf. I disconnect, it helps me.

Do you have vertigo upon withdrawal?

The closer you get, the greater the vertigo. I’ve been doing the same thing for 15 years and it makes me dizzy to see it end. Every time I assimilate it better because I have it organized and I am happy with my family. As long as I have them, the rest doesn’t matter.

Will Girona be your last club?

It could be perfectly. I go year by year. The normal thing is to finish the contract in 2026. I also like the MLS. I have learned that what is planned rarely happens, so I am going to enjoy every day.