Real Madrid will face Girona at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium on February 23, 2025, for the 25th round of La Liga. This highly anticipated clash is pivotal for both teams as they navigate through the intense competition of the season. The match kicks off at 16:15 local time, and for fans outside Spain, it will be broadcast through various channels.
Entering the match, Real Madrid is desperate to secure all three points after being winless for three consecutive league games, coming off draws against Atlético Madrid and Osasuna and a defeat to Leganés. Coach Carlo Ancelotti’s squad is now second on the La Liga table, sitting on equal points with Barcelona, which leads on goal difference. The reigning champions are feeling the pressure of having their title reign challenged and are seeking to regain their formidable momentum against Girona, who has historically struggled against them.
“It’s a match at a very important moment of the season,” Ancelotti said during his pre-match press conference. “We brought out a good performance against Manchester City, and we have to repeat it. We have reached a point where we cannot fail. The league is very competitive, and every match can be key to reaching the end of the competition well,” he cautioned, highlighting the importance of every single point earned.
The Real Madrid manager faces tough decisions as he manages player fatigue amid tight schedules. The team will miss the suspended Jude Bellingham, which significantly affects their midfield capability. Long-term injuries to key players like Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão exacerbate the team's concern, forcing Ancelotti to contemplate using fresher legs for the match. Players like David Alaba, Luka Modric, and Brahim Díaz might be called upon, freshening the squad against Girona.
On the other hand, Girona arrives at the Bernabéu struggling with their performance, having recorded only one win from their last five outings, which puts them 10th on the table and far away from European qualification spots. Their manager, Míchel, has his work cut out for him as the team seeks to stabilize its performance. The recent loss against Getafe, where they lost 2-1, highlighted their difficulties. With Yangel Herrera serving his suspension, Girona’s quest for points becomes even more tangled, as they look to regain their footing.
“We are aware of how difficult it will be. We need to perform at our best to compete against them,” Míchel noted, emphasizing the team's resolve to turn their fortunes around.
Fans can expect significant action on the field as both clubs vie for their objectives this season. For Real Madrid, the stakes are high as they aim to re-establish dominance, whereas Girona needs to find momentum to climb back up the position ranks.
For those unable to attend the match, it will be available on DAZN LaLiga for local viewers and covered by ESPN, Fubo Sports, and ESPN Deportes for audiences wanting to tune in from the U.S. This level of detailing adds to the excitement surrounding this fixture. Additional coverage will also be available on Sky Sports, catering to audiences across Mexico and Central America, and various local broadcasters across South America.
Despite their recent form, Real Madrid has historically shown strength against Girona, with notable victories including a 3-0 win during their last encounter on December 7, 2024. The stakes could not be higher for this fixture as the battle for La Liga ascends to another level. Players such as Kylian Mbappé will be ones to watch, having shone brightly during their recent Champions League campaign and likely to feature significantly on the pitch.
This high-pressure match not only impacts the title race but also the morale of both clubs as the business end of the season approaches. With only fourteen rounds left, both teams understand the relevance of each result—especially when it could mean the difference between settling for mid-table positions or aspiring for higher honors.
The match synopsis reflects not just the rivalry and competition, but also the potential ramifications woven through the fabric of La Liga as both teams inch closer to their season goals.