Real Madrid is set to face Girona at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, aiming to reclaim the top spot in La Liga after falling behind traditional rivals Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. The match, scheduled for Sunday, February 23rd, carries significant weight for both teams. Real Madrid has struggled recently, going winless in their last three league matches, which included two draws and one loss, as pressure mounts with each passing day.
Girona, on the other hand, finds itself at 11th place in the league standings after once competing near the top last season. The club, under the guidance of coach Míchel, has found the current campaign less fruitful, with notable difficulties reflected by their recent results. Out of 24 matches played, Girona has only managed to secure nine wins, coupled with 11 defeats. Fortunately for them, they are just four points away from sixth-placed Rayo Vallecano, leaving the door slightly ajar for European qualification.
"I prepare for this match without looking at the standings—just thinking about the challenge ahead," said Míchel, reflecting his team’s focus as they gear up to visit the formidable Bernabéu. Though Girona was eliminated from the Champions League group stages, their encounter with Real Madrid serves not only as motivation to improve their standing but also acts as revenge for their previous 4-0 drubbing at the Bernabéu last season.
One of the primary challenges facing Real Madrid, managed by Carlo Ancelotti, is the absence of star midfielder Jude Bellingham, who is suspended for two games following his controversial sending-off last weekend against Osasuna. The Englishman’s suspension leaves Ancelotti with the task of finding the best tactical fit among his remaining options. Possible replacements include veterans Luka Modric and the promising Arda Güler, but details surrounding some players' fitness levels may dictate the final choice.
Girona will also be without midfielder Yangel Herrera, who received two yellows against Getafe, but the team has made some strategic signings this season, including players like Bryan Gil and Donny van de Beek to help address their squad depth issues.
Historically, the match against Girona could not come at a worse time for Los Blancos, who recently celebrated their progression to the Champions League Round of 16 by eliminating Manchester City. Coach Ancelotti, conscious of his players’ fatigue, is expected to rotate members of his squad, introducing Lucas Vázquez back to the right-back position, easing Federico Valverde’s workload. Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba, returning from injuries, are poised to feature as well.
Real Madrid's recent record is discouraging—a slump characterized by disappointing draws with Atletico and Osasuna and a loss to Espanyol. With Barcelona’s comfortable position bolstered by recent wins, they must solidify their claim for the title, leaving little room for error against Girona. Anything less than three points could push them down to third place, increasing the stakes significantly.
Interestingly, the betting odds favor Real Madrid heavily, with moneyline odds set at -370 against Girona’s +700. Such odds reflect the expected home advantage for the defending champions. Despite their slump, Real Madrid's record at the Bernabéu remains strong, with their only dropped points coming against Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Analysis suggests this match will likely feature more than three goals as both teams possess attacking capabilities, albeit with Girona currently struggling to convert chances consistently. It's become apparent Real Madrid holds the upper hand—though missing their attacking star, they still possess offensive depth to secure necessary goals.
With kickoff set for 10:15 AM ET, fans will be eager to see whether Real Madrid can utilize their home advantage to secure a pivotal win, or if Girona can pull off what would be considered a significant upset this season.
The day’s outcome will be pivotal, not just for standings, but for the morale of both clubs moving forward, with Real Madrid needing to stop the bleeding of lost points and Girona seeking resurgence amid challenging times.