It has been a poor couple of weeks for Real Madrid after defeat in the Champions League and another midweek reversal last time out at Athletic Club.
By Karl Matchett
Now, Madrid’s third match in a run of five away fixtures across six games (in all competitions) sees them head to Girona, stars of LaLiga last term but struggling to find the same verve this time around. Even with a tremendous campaign in 2023/24, the side who finished third were 14 points off champions Los Blancos – and Carlo Ancelotti’s side beat them by an aggregate scoreline of 7-0 across their two league meetings. Real might be stuttering, but they have certainly had Girona’s number so far.
This season
Look at Girona’s league form and it looks half-decent: four unbeaten, up to eighth, and only four points separating them from Villarreal in fifth. European football for next season is still very much on the cards, if they can find some consistency once more.
But, that’s the problem: they haven’t, and league fixtures aren’t the only ones they play. Girona have actually gone three without a win in all competitions following a cup shootout defeat to Logrones, a fourth-tier side. It’s two wins in six and six wins in 18, going back further. Stringing results together is tough at the top for those unused to it.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, had a very consistent start – seven victories in nine to start 2024/25 – but four defeats and three wins in their last seven paints a different recent picture. Injuries have hurt them, yes, but tactically and physically they’ve been dominated by Barcelona, Milan, Liverpool and now Athletic of late.
Team news
Yangel Herrera and Viktor Tsyhankov are the two big misses for Girona, but Yáser Asprilla is also a big miss if he doesn’t recover in time. Ladislav Krejčí is back though and should play right side of the back three.
Ancelotti may juggle his pack a little but options are hampered by defensive absences, with David Alaba, Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal all sidelined for the long haul. Eduardo Camavinga and Vinícius Júnior are also out with injuries.
Rodrygo set to step up
Real Madrid are second, four points off the top and with a game in hand – but to really pressurise Barcelona they have to start winning matches more often. With Vini Jr. out and Kylian Mbappé somewhat of a shadow of himself at present, Rodrygo must step up and show his immense worth. He averages just under a shot on target per 90 (0.9) but has created 22 chances this term in LaLiga – third in the squad behind Vinícius and Luka Modrić. That creativity plus his ball carrying – 2.1 successful dribbles per 90 is fewer than Vini’s, but his 53% success rate is notably higher – makes him Madrid’s main outlet and chief creator in the final third. Given he ranks above 93% of Europe in chance creating forwards, that must come to the fore here.
Prediction
An away win would get Madrid rolling once more, though perhaps not without Girona causing some concerns across the 90 minutes. Therefore, we’ll go with Girona 1 Real Madrid 3.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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