Girona will go again in their pursuit of the La Liga title as they kick-start the new year with a tough test against Atletico Madrid.
Michel would have had a bittersweet feeling to end 2023 in the manner Girona, who face Atletico Madrid this week, did. The title contenders had the chance to go into the festive break as outright leaders in La Liga, but they faltered against Real Betis. Artem Dovbyk’s first-half strike from the penalty spot could have proved enough, only for German Pezzella to score Betis’s equaliser in the 88th minute to finish the game in a draw.
The result meant Girona were top for the time being. Still, on the next day, Real Madrid’s dramatic late winner through Lucas Vazquez against Alaves meant Carlo Ancelotti’s charges finished the period on top, albeit on goal difference.
Michel would know the huge task at hand alongside the pressure of achieving the unthinkable, that is, the La Liga title. Until now, Girona have looked capable of challenging the usual suspects for the championship. However, they have a long way to go in the second half of the campaign and face the first big test to kick-start 2024 as they host Atletico Madrid.
Diego Simeone will not have been too pleased with his side’s results over the last few matchdays. The Argentine manager may have regretted the chances his team had to close the gap up top, as Atletico Madrid were seven points ahead of Real Madrid and Girona before entering the festive break.
Since losing to Athletic Club away from home, Atletico have dramatically drawn to Getafe but made amends with a slender victory over struggling Sevilla. The result kept them in a relevant position on the La Liga table, where they are sitting in third, ahead of Barcelona only on goal difference.
Simeone would want his side to kick start 2024 in an emphatic way, as only a win over title contenders Girona would please the Argentine boss. It is also a big test for his side in the context of the title race if Atletico still consider themselves in the reckoning for it, but travelling away to take on Michel’s in-form side will always be a difficult task.
Team News & Tactics
Girona
Defender David Lopez became the latest casualty for Michel’s side, as he joins a host of players already absent from contention for the next game. Those include Toni Villa, Joel Roca, Borja Garcia, and Yangel Herrera for sure.
There are also doubts about Ricard Artero, but Michel could welcome back attacker Viktor Tsygankov after a two-game injury-related absence. The Ukrainian will feature alongside the in-form and in-demand Savio and compatriot Dovbyk, with the latter’s goal in the previous game taking Girona’s tally to 42 league strikes for the season. In defence, Michel would prefer the partnership of Eric Garcia and Daley Blind, with Yan Couto and Miquel Gutierrez keeping their full-back slots.
Aleix Garcia should keep his place at the base of the Girona midfield. Pablo Torre will hope to contribute ably from the right-hand side of the midfield three, as will Ivan Martin from the left-hand side.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Gazzaniga; Couto, Garcia, Bling, Gutierrez; Torre, A.Garcia, Martin; Savio, Dovbyk, Tysgankov
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone does not have any fresh concerns with the fitness of his players but could make some tweaks to personnel and system when facing an attacking side like Girona. Lucas Barrios, Thomas Lemar and Vitolo continue to remain absent from the team.
Caglar Soyuncu, who was sent off against Sevilla, will miss this clash and serve a one-match ban. The Turkish international’s absence will keep Simeone unfazed, as he has plenty of choices for his defensive setup.
After beginning contract talks, Axel Witsel is primed to keep his place at the heart of the defence. He will likely have Jose Maria Gimenez and Mario Hermoso on either side. Simeone could bring Ricardo Riquelme onto the right-hand side in place of Nahuel Molina and allow Samuel Lino to keep his place out wide on the left wing.
Marcos Llorente, fresh from his match-winner against Sevilla, will keep his place in midfield alongside Koke and Rodrigo De Paul. Up front, Simeone will keep faith in the attacking partnership of Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann.
Probable lineup (3-5-2): Oblak; Gimenez, Witsel, Hermoso; Riquelme, Llorente, Koke, De Paul, Lino; Griezmann, Morata
Key Stats
- Girona are undefeated in their last ten matches in La Liga.
- Girona are leading the goalscoring charts in La Liga with 42 goals to their name this season.
- Atletico Madrid have won their last three matches against Girona in all competitions.
- Atletico Madrid have not lost a game to Girona in their last eight meetings.
- Atletico Madrid have failed to score in their last two away games in La Liga.
Player to Watch
Artem Dovbyk
The Ukrainian striker has had a flying start to the campaign, as his 11 goals have taken Girona to new heights. Dovbyk should look forward to continuing with his superb form in front of the goal and putting pressure on Atletico Madrid in this upcoming clash.
There is a lot at stake for Girona this season, and so far, they have relied on the Ukrainian’s talents in front of goal. Dovbyk needs a performance worthy of showing he can fire his team to an unprecedented La Liga title challenge, and for that, a top-tier performance against Diego Simeone’s men feels like a necessity.
Prediction
Girona 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid have the minerals to hurt any team in world football. But they might be a bit concerned about their form away from home for the time being. While they might have come out as favourites against a side like Girona in the traditional sense, things have changed dramatically over the last six months or so.
Girona are in flying form and secured a top-class victory over Barcelona on their home turf. Michel will want a repeat of that performance against a more pragmatic Atletico side, and going by their form, they are favourites to nick three points here.
