Real Madrid will look to return to winning ways in La Liga when they host a struggling Girona outfit at the Bernabeu on Sunday.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid have failed to win any of their last three league games, and they have slipped down to second on the table; to ensure they maintain the pressure on league leaders Barcelona, Los Blancos will need to secure all three points against Girona.
The home team were in control of the title race a few weeks ago, but a defeat against Espanyol and consecutive draws against Atletico Madrid and Osasuna have given Barcelona the opportunity to reclaim the top spot. While both clubs are level on points, Hansi Flick’s team have a better head-to-head goal difference.
Real Madrid have been struggling in La Liga, but they are heading into this fixture on the back of an important 3-1 win over Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League, which will certainly give them confidence heading into this fixture.
The visitors enjoyed an impressive 2023/24 campaign, but things have not been that great for them this time around. Girona are 11th on the table and have suffered defeats in 11 out of their 24 league outings.
Girona have lost four out of their last five league games, which pretty much sums up their form. They are heading into this fixture on the back of a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Getafe and will certainly have punch above their weight to beat Los Blancos. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Real Madrid
Despite Real Madrid’s appeal, Jude Bellingham remains suspended for two league games following the red card last time out. While Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal remain on the sidelines, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, and Lucas Vazquez are all back in the mix.
Carlo Ancelotti could go ahead with the 4-3-3 formation for this fixture, where Thibaut Courtois will be in goal. Federico Valverde will shift back to the midfield, with Vazquez taking up the right-back role. Ferland Mendy should take charge on the left flank, while Rudiger should partner Raul Asencio at the heart of the defence.
Valverde could partner Aurelien Tchouameni and Dani Ceballos in the centre of the park with Bellingham unavailable. The trio will look to control the tempo of the game. Finally, Rodrygo and Vinicius will stretch the play out wide, while Kylian Mbappe, the hat-trick hero from the Champions League triumph over Manchester City, will lead the line for Real Madrid against Girona.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius
Girona
Abel Ruiz and Arnaut Danjuma’s availability is a major doubt heading into this fixture. Meanwhile, Yangel Herrera is suspended for this fixture. Against Real Madrid, Girona will line up in a 3-4-3 formation, where Paulo Gazzanigga is expected to take charge in goal.
The back three will be made up of David Lopez, Daley Blind and Ladislav Krejci. They will look to keep things tight at the back and receive significant support from Miguel Gutierrez and Arnau Martinez, who will feature as wing-backs in this fixture.
In the centre of the park, Oriol Romeu will partner with Yaser Asprilla. The Girona midfield duo will look to ensure Real Madrid midfielder do not dominate the proceedings. In attack, Bryan Gil and Viktor Tsygankov will provide much-needed width to their attacks, while Portu will lead the line.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Gazzaniga; David Lopez, Krejci, Blind; Arnau Martinez, Romeu, Asprilla, Gutierrez; Gil, Portu, Tsyhankov
Key Stats
- Real Madrid have been formidable at home in La Liga this season, having racked up 28 points in 11 matches at the Santiago Bernabeu.
- Girona have struggled on the road, managing just 12 points from 12 league matches.
- Los Blancos have picked up only two points from their last three La Liga games.
- Real madrid have won their last three league encounters against Girona, scoring 10 goals in the process.
- The visitors have lost six of their last seven matches across all competitions.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
Having bagged a hat-trick in Real Madrid’s last UEFA Champions League outing, Mbappe will be eager to carry that form into this fixture. While it was a slow start for him at his new club, the Frenchman has certainly adjusted well to his role at his new club. He already has 30 goal contributions in his debut campaign, and it won’t be a surprise if he ends up adding to it against Girona.
Prediction
Real Madrid 3-1 Girona
Real Madrid might have dropped points in their last three La Liga games, but they are heading into this fixture against Girona on the back of a massive win over Manchester City, which will certainly give them a lot of confidence.
Meanwhile, Girona have lost four out of their last five La Liga games, and the Catalan outfit are not going to have it easy against Real Madrid. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for the home team.
