Real Madrid finds itself at a crossroads this Sunday as they host struggling Girona at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu stadium. After their recent triumphs over Manchester City, which reestablished their presence in the UEFA Champions League, the focus now shifts back to La Liga, where results have been far from encouraging for Los Blancos.
Real Madrid's form has taken a nosedive, having endured two draws and one defeat in their last three league outings. These setbacks have allowed their closest rivals, Barcelona, to leapfrog them at the top of the table. Currently tied on points with Barcelona but trailing on goal differential, it is imperative for Carlo Ancelotti and his players to get back on winning terms. On the other hand, Girona's performance has been alarming, with Michel’s team managing to garner only one win out of their last six matches, placing them languishing mid-table at 11th position.
The match is slated for February 23, 2025, at 15:15 GMT / 10:15 ET, drawing ample scrutiny as Madrid looks to sort out their issues before the title race heats up. Injuries and suspensions have mired Ancelotti's plans, most significantly with the absence of Jude Bellingham, who is serving the first of his two-game suspension after being sent off for verbally abusing the referee during their last league match against Osasuna. The English midfielder's creativity and dynamism will certainly be missed.
Despite these challenges, Madrid has received some positive news with the return of key personnel. David Alaba, Lucas Vázquez, and Antonio Rudiger all marked their comebacks from injury, providing much-needed stability to the defense, which has been disrupted of late. Ancelotti is likely to rely on Rudiger and Raul Albiol to anchor the backline, supported by Vázquez and Ferland Mendy on the flanks.
Ancelotti knows there is pressure not just to win but to dominate the game, especially against teams like Girona who are struggling. "We have to repeat the good version [we showed] against [Manchester] City [in the Champions League]. You can’t fail, the league is very competitive and every game is vitally important," he said during the pre-match press conference.
The task for Girona will be just as tricky, particularly without Yangel Herrera, who will miss out due to suspension after his red card against Getafe. This absence will significantly weaken their midfield, which will need to be shored up by the remaining squad. Girona will also have to do without Arnaut Danjuma, who has been sidelined with complications from injury, adding pressure to their already thin attacking line.
Despite their woes, Girona does possess some players who can cause trouble for Madrid, including Viktor Tsygankov and Cristian Stuani, who will be tasked with breaking through the Madrid defense. Facing Real Madrid is always one of the biggest challenges, and Girona will need to engage their resources effectively to find the back of the net.
Madrid’s solid home form could provide the edge they need. Historically, they have exercised dominance at home, winning nine out of their 11 La Liga matches this season. With Kylian Mbappé coming off his hat trick performance against Manchester City, he will be expected to lead the charge, supported by Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, who have consistently performed when needed. Their attacking prowess should be enough to threaten any defense, particularly against Girona's leaky backline.
On the betting front, Real Madrid is favored at odds of -340, illustrating the expectations for them to reclaim their form on home soil. Girona, with odds of +800, signify they are the underdogs, reflecting their struggles and recent performances.
With the title race tightening up, both teams need results for different reasons. For Madrid, reclaiming their dominance is pivotal, whereas Girona must shake off their poor form simply to avoid sinking lower on the table. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and as Real Madrid aims for their 16th league victory of the season, all eyes will be on how they respond to the recent pressure. It promises to be another thrilling contest.